A group of three men were spotted on Saturday shooting catapults at squirrels in trees in Belfairs Park, Leigh, with horrified onlookers claiming multiple animals died as a result.
Pictures shared from the incident have spread through the Belfairs community, with furious residents forming the Belfairs Squirrels Protectors group.
The group is set to have its first meeting on Sunday where they plan to gather further evidence of the attacks, share information and highlight their campaign.
Essex Police are currently appealing for evidence of the attacks and is investigating the reports.
Belfairs Squirrels Protectors founder, Julie Callow, said: “I was so angry about it all, we all were and I just thought that we could form a group, meet and try to gather together more evidence of this.
“We are getting together to make a stand.
“People will not stand for this, we are bringing the community together for a peaceful event, to hopefully make people feel more empowered against this.”
The group currently has more than 40 members, after only being formed this week.
Julie added: “People still see squirrels as vermin and this issue as not worth taking seriously, I do not believe these people are just killing squirrels.”
A mum who saw the attack on Saturday, but has asked not to be named, was similarly horrified by what she saw.
She said: “They were coaxing the animals down and then shooting them with their slingshots.
“My kids were there, I was appalled and I went straight over to them, I told them to stop and was shouting at them.
“I feel scared really, my biggest worry is if they miss and hit a dog or a person, this is in the middle of the day and there were a lot of people.”
Martin Terry, councillor for community safety, said: “We are aware of these appalling attacks on squirrels in Belfairs Park and this matter has now been handed over to the police. These incidents are deeply concerning, not only because of the harm caused to wildlife but also due to the potential risk to passers-by.
“Our community safety officers will continue their patrols in Belfairs Park and the surrounding areas.”