Hedgehog was caught in illegal ‘gin trap’
ANIMAL TOOK ‘FULL IMPACT’ OF IT
A HEDGEHOG had to be taken to a nearby rescue centre after it got caught in an illegal animal trap.
Leicestershire Police received word an animal had been found in a “gin trap” close to the junction of Lime Close and Barkby Road, in Syston, at around 8am on Wednesday.
Gin traps are an illegal device which catches the leg of whatever creature walks through it – and can come with or without a serrated edge or teeth.
They are like a smaller version of a bear trap, with a panel in the centre which quickly shuts when pressed.
The traps have been illegal to use since 1958. However, it is still perfectly legal for people to buy and sell the trap due to a legal loophole.
Charnwood Police’s Twitter account was first to post about the dangerous and deadly animal trap, taking time to mention that the only aim of setting such a trap would be to cause harm or kill an animal.
The trap was also pictured, showing the device to be heavily rusted and with teeth – as well as confirming a hedgehog took the “full impact” of it.
The tweet from Pcso Vaughan at the Charnwood Police team said: “Today I was alerted to a ‘gin trap’ that had been set in a public space. The only aim of this would be to cause harm/death to an animal.
“Unfortunately, a poor hedgehog took the full impact of this very old device. Inquiries are being made.”
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: “Shortly after 8am on Wednesday, a member of the public contacted police to say they had found an animal trap close to the junction of Lime Close and Barkby Road in Syston. “A hedgehog was found in the trap. “The hedgehog was taken to a rescue centre and the member of the public took the trap to a place of safe keeping.
“The use of such traps is illegal and anyone who sees one is advised to contact police.”