Blowguns Like One Used in Animal Cruelty Case Legal in Ames

Blowguns like the one probably used to kill a Tuesday can be legally discharged within Ames city limits.

Ames Police Commander Jim Robinson said airguns, bows and slingshots cannot be discharged within city limits according to city code, but blowguns are not included in that law.

Robinson said technically people would be allowed to use blowguns as long as they are not hurting anyone.

On Tuesday an indoor/outdoor cat, Star, was found struggling to walk in its driveway. A blowdart was embedded in its chest and it died a short time later. Ames Animal Control is investigating the shooting and has not returned calls for more information.

The person responsible could be charged with animal abuse depending on the circumstances. Under Iowa Code animal abuse is defined as intentionally injuring or destroying an animal and is an aggravated misdemeanor.

Lorna Lavender, Ames Animal Shelter supervisor, said that two to three squirrels were either killed or had to be put to sleep after being shot in a similar fashion last summer.

Gray squirrels and fox squirrels can be hunted in Iowa from Sept. 3 to Jan. 31 according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. However city code prohibits hunting of all types with one exception. People may hunt deer in areas that have been established as deer population management zones.  

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