The imminent Animal Welfare Strategy is set to prohibit the use of cruel wire noose traps that ensnare animals while they are on the move. These traps subject animals to prolonged periods of suffering without access to essential needs like water, food, and shelter. Advocates have persistently urged England to follow in the footsteps of Wales and Scotland by outlawing these inhumane and non-selective traps.
Official data reveals that over 200,000 wire traps are concealed in the English countryside, though the actual number is likely significantly higher. These traps constrict around the neck, body, or limbs of the animals they capture, inflicting immense pain and distress before the animals are either shot or face a protracted demise.
Besides their intended targets, snares often trap unintended animals like pet dogs, hares, and badgers. Incidents like the distressing video of a fox caught in a snare on the Sandringham estate last year have sparked outrage. Reports also include instances of pet dogs falling victim to snares on the Royal Family’s Sandringham Estate, and pet owners finding their missing pets ensnared and injured in neglected areas.
A recent YouGov survey indicates that 71% of adults in England believe that snares should be outlawed. The government’s comprehensive Animal Welfare Strategy is scheduled for release on Monday.
Emma Slawinski, the League Against Cruel Sports’ chief executive, emphasized the persistent threat posed by snares in the countryside, affecting not only the intended animals but also other wildlife and pets inadvertently caught in these traps. She praised the government’s efforts to ban snares as a step towards a more compassionate approach to animal welfare.
Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending animal cruelty, highlighting the manifesto promise to ban snare traps. The government is also considering additional measures to address welfare concerns raised about other wildlife traps.