Brutality of snares On Wednesday, February 20, the Scottish Environment Minister, Michael Russell, will announce his intentions for the future of snaring in Scotland. We and our supporters expect to see a ban on snares in Scotland which will lead the way for the rest of the UK to follow. It is unacceptable that such cruel and unselective traps can still be used in a supposedly civilised society.
Snares are cruel and indiscriminate trap set to catch so-called pests such as foxes and rabbits, but in reality any animal is at risk from getting caught in a snare. Known and recorded victims include protected animals such as badgers, otters and mountain hares, and other wild animals such as deer, farmed animals and even domestic cats and dogs.
Although designed to immobilise their targets by trapping them around the neck, snares can inflict horrendous injury and, in many cases, the trapped animals endure a slow, agonising death.
Snares are not allowed in most other EU member states, and three-quarters of the people in Scotland believe snares should be banned here. Such a move would have widespread cross-party political support in the Scottish Parliament.
Nothing other than a complete ban on snares will end the cruelty and suffering of animals caused by their use. If we do not lead the way, we risk getting left behind on this important animal welfare issue.
The Scottish Government must now act to introduce long-overdue legislation to prohibit the use of all snares in Scotland.
Ross Minett, Advocates for Animals; Louise Robertson, League Against Cruel Sports; Rodney Hale, Hare Preservation Trust; Andy Christie, Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust; Grace Yoxon, International Otter Survival Fund; Ian Hutchison, Scottish Badgers; Les Ward, Marchig Animal Welfare Trust; Edinburgh.
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