Probe after several animals are found dead in illegal snare traps

An investigation is under way after several animals were found dead in illegal traps.

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after it was alerted to two incidents of badgers caught in snares in North Lanarkshire since July 5.

In addition, a hare was discovered in a spring trap in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh on June 18.

Almost 60 incidents involving animals caught in snares and traps – most dead on arrival – were dealt with by the charity between 2018 and 2019.

A Scottish SPCA special investigations inspector, who cannot be named due to undercover operations, said: “Snare and trap operators must check on the device every 24 hours and this was not the case in these incidents.

“These animals were caused unimaginable physical and mental anguish being caught in these traps. The creatures will have experienced slow and agonising deaths. The level of suffering they would have felt is unimaginable.

“The badger in Airdrie had been dead for two or three months and in Motherwell the animal had been deceased for over 24 hours.

“The badgers that were found in Airdrie and Motherwell must have passed under the fence and become caught in the snare. One under its front legs and the other around its neck.

“Both animals must have panicked and this caused the snare to constrict them further and further.

“The hare was found in the Pentland Hills near Balerno trapped by its front leg. By the time we found it, the leg had almost been severed due to the amount of struggle and fight put up by the animal.”

The charity is urging anyone with information to get in contact.

The charity is urging anyone with information to get in contact.