The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dog walkers warned after trap found in Dundee park
COUNCIL: Authority is investigating how device came to be placed at Balgay
Dog walkers in Dundee have been warned to be vigilant after an apparent poaching trap was found in a city park.
Linzi Marshall, 28, was walking her eight-month-old West Highland Terrier, Angus, in Balgay Park on Tuesday when she discovered the metal trap.
The park is popular with dog walkers and Linzi said she is concerned someone’s pet could be seriously injured if it triggers the spring trap.
She posted on Facebook: “Stumbled across what looks like a poaching trap (bigger than it looks in the photo, suspect it’s for catching rabbits).
“It’s off the main path and purposely camouflaged but if a dog was off the lead it could easily go investigating – Angus did.
“I’ve reported it to the council as I sincerely doubt it’s a council-set trap (could be wrong) but best be vigilant if you are there.”
The trap had been covered in branches to hide it.
Linzi told The Courier: “Balgay Park is a lot of steep hills and the dog was just trying to climb one of them so we followed him and saw it. “It was just kind of tucked away. “We sent the council a Google map of it but I haven’t heard back from them yet.”
Linzi said small dogs and even children could be injured by the trap.
Fortunately, Linzi had Angus on a lead so she was able to pull him away from the trap before he was injured.
She said: “I wasn’t sure about posting it online but I’m glad I did now.”
A spokesman for Dundee City Council confirmed they are investigating the incident.
Animal welfare charity the Scottish SPCA said it appeared to be a spring trap, which are used to kill small mammals such as mink, rats or stoats.
Although they can be used legally for land management, permission is required before they can be set.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “This appears to be a spring trap which has been set illegally. Spring traps can be used lawfully under specific conditions for trapping small mammals such as rats, stoats and weasels.
“However, they have to be covered over, secured and prevented from catching any non-target animal.
“We would appeal to anyone with information about who may have set this trap to contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
Irene Brown, of Cats Protection in Dundee, said: “Obviously we don’t know who has set the trap but it is very dangerous in a place like Balgay Park because other animals could easily get caught.”