Tortuous snare traps that catch operating animals by neck with noose to be banned
Animal welfare campaigners have long been calling for England to ban cruel and indiscriminate snare traps to bring the country in line with Wales and Scotland
Tortuous snare traps that catch running animals by the neck with a wire noose are to be banned under a landmark Animal Welfare Strategy.
Snares leave animals for extended periods without water, food or shelter. Campaigners have long been calling for England to ban the cruel and indiscriminate traps to bring the country in line with Wales and Scotland.
More than 200,000 wire traps are known to be hidden in the English countryside, official stats show, but the true figure is likely to be much higher.
The vile devices tighten around the neck, torso or legs of their victims and cause immense suffering and pain before the animal is shot or faces a lingering death.
Snares often capture pet dogs and other non-target species such as hares, badgers.
READ MORE: Outrage as video shows fox caught in ‘barbaric’ snare trap on King’s Sandringham estate
Last year, fury erupted over a shocking video of a fox caught in a snare trap on King Charles’ country estate at Sandringham. The minute-long clip, revealed by The Mirror, showed a terrified fox with a wire snare around its neck, as the animal frantically tried to escape.
Pet dogs have also been known to be trapped in snares on the Royal Family’s Sandringham Estate. Other horrible stories include pet owners finding their lost animals trapped and injured in snares in derelict land.
Some 71% of adults in England think snares should be illegal, according to a YouGov survey conducted earlier this year.
The government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy will be published in full on Monday.
Emma Slawinski, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, which has been campaigning on the issue, said: “Snares pose a constant danger in the countryside, and not just for the animals these traps are laid to catch.
“The League has compiled case studies over many years where animals such as badgers, hares, and even pet dogs and cats have been caught and killed by snares, often discovered by members of the public left horrified by what they have seen.
“These traps are blunt instruments of cruelty, often used for no other reason than to protect millions of game birds which are later shot just for fun, and have no place in a country committed to taking a progressive approach to animal welfare.
“We commend the government for taking robust steps to ensure we will become such a country by outlawing snares.”
Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman said: “Britain is a nation of animal lovers, and the government is committed to putting an end to animal cruelty wherever we find it.
“Our manifesto committed to a ban on snare traps, and I’m proud to be part of the Government delivering on that promise. And we’re not stopping there. We’re reviewing other wildlife traps where welfare concerns have been raised and will consider further action.”
