Illegal gin traps sadly available on internet

THANK goodness the unfortunate hedgehog caught in a gin trap was rescued and is now recuperating (“Hedgehog was caught

‘gin trap’”, May 12).

As the Mercury article reported, the use of gin traps is illegal. However, an online search revealed they are not only available to buy but there were also a number of videos instructing how to use them.

All traps are indiscriminate and can injure or even kill unintended wild and domestic animals.

Snares are mainly set up on shooting estates to eliminate animals that predate on “game birds”.

This ensures a plentiful supply of live targets for people rich enough to engage in such “entertainment”.

Earlier this year Prince Charles, that pillar of wildlife conservation, was alleged in the press to be using snare traps on the Sandringham Estate.

According to reports a dog was caught and spent two hours trapped in freezing conditions before being found, while a protected species of owl was also caught.

What an unfortunate example to set to the nation.

Elizabeth Allison, Aylestone in illegal