Appeal to trap setters

The Scottish SPCA has appealed for those who operate traps and snares to fulfil their legal welfare obligation of not causing unnecessary suffering to the animals caught in them.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity is offering to assist those who cannot leave their house due to current government restrictions or if they are self-isolating.

Traps and snares can be set legally to control certain species but because of restriction of movement, they may now be illegal.

Scottish SPCA special investigations unit chief inspector, who cannot be named due to undercover operations, said: “During the pandemic we understand that there is restricted movement and that people may be unwell or self-isolating.

“Our concern is that those who may have set traps or snares may be in this situation and not able to get back to them within the legal time frame of once every 24 hours.

“We have had evidence of creatures being confined for longer and dying of stress or starvation as a result of not being able to get free.

“As the snares and traps will have not been checked within this time frame, they will now be illegal and the person responsible for them will be breaking the law.

“We are here to help anyone who finds themselves in these circumstances.

“People can contact us and let us know the whereabouts of the devices and we will attend and make them safe so that no animal will suffer.

“We are willing to work with land managers and trap snare operators to ensure animal welfare law is being adhered to.

“If anyone has any information relating to traps or snares they believe are not being checked, then this can be reported to us in confidence and we will investigate.

“People can contact our confidential animal helpline and we will do all we can to assist.”

The Scottish SPCA website is www. scottishspca.org and its animal helpline can be reached on 03000 999 999.