The SSPCA said more animals were being injured in airgun attacks

The SSPCA is calling for stricter controls on the weapons following a spate of incidents.

Attacks on a fox and swans are among the latest airgun incidents reported to the charity.

First Minister Jack McConnell recently vowed to tighten the legislation governing airguns.

SSPCA inspectors believe lighter evenings are one of the reasons for the increase in attacks.

They say air weapon pellets, particularly pointed ones, can prove lethal and referred to one recent incident where an airgun attack killed a horse.

Political concern

Speaking after the death of Glasgow toddler Andrew Morton, who was killed by an airgun pellet, Mr McConnell said doing nothing about the weapons was not an option in Scotland.

Last week, a six-year-old boy was injured when he was hit on the head by an airgun pellet.

The chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, Norrie Flowers, is calling for a total ban on airguns.

Examination of the gun laws is taking place at the Home Office in London because firearms legislation is a Westminster responsibility.