Failure to outlaw snaring means cruelty goes on

Published on Saturday 1 March 2008 10:19

THE recent decision not to outlaw snaring disappointed the Scottish SPCA, as there had been overwhelming support for a ban from the public and several politicians. However, all of the new regulations should aid enforcement.

As Scotland’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity, the Scottish SPCA has seen at first hand the dreadful agony inflicted by snares.

During 2007, the society surveyed its own inspectors, Scottish vet surgeries, wildlife crime officers and wildlife rescue and protection agencies.

The information was used to produce a report, Snaring in Scotland: A Scottish SPCA Survey of Suffering. The report revealed that, despite claims that snares are humane and essential land management tools for foxes and rabbits, over three quarters of the animals found trapped in snares are non-target species. Over half of these die from injuries sustained while in the snare.

During the survey period, 269 snared animals were reported to the society. Species ranged from badgers to pet cats, wild deer and even a calf. Scottish gamekeepers have said that “snaring accounts for 30 per cent of all foxes controlled by gamekeepers each year”. This surely means 70 per cent are controlled by other means.

The survey indicated that only 23 per cent of the animals reported were the traditional target species of foxes and rabbits. The remaining 77 per cent were non-target, with 12 per cent being European protected species. The report also revealed the shocking statistic that 57 per cent of these animals were either found dead in the snare or had to be put down because of the extent of their injuries. This evidence contradicts traditional claims that snares were “simply a holding device”.

It is quite remarkable that land managers are still relying on a piece of wire to control animals. Snares, by their very nature, are indiscriminate and will capture anything that comes into contact with them.

The minister has stated that a working party will be formed to develop the regulations, and the Scottish SPCA wishes to be included in this. The new regulations could be an important step forward to eliminating the suffering of all animals and the trapping of non-pest species in snares.

Scotland is a country with many wild areas, rich in diverse species of wildlife. Illegally set snares are frequently hard to find. Currently there are only two full-time wildlife crime officers in Scotland to police the practice of snaring, as well as all other wildlife crime.

We hope Scottish SPCA inspectors will be given a statutory role to be considered authorised to enforce these new regulations. The regulations can only be effective in relieving suffering if there are sufficient officers to enforce them. To read the survey, go to www.scottishspca.org.

Doreen Graham is press and PR manager of the Scottish SPCA