SCOTLAND’S largest animal welfare charity has called for a ban on all snares due to the “horrific suffering” of animals.
The Scottish SPCA said hundreds of snares were set in Scotland every year.
While many of them are legal, others are illegal or set illegally.
The charity has received 50 calls about snares to its animal helpline since the beginning of last year, and attended 15 incidents involving the devices.
But its special investigations unit believes the actual number of animals killed by snares could be “hundreds”, including many unreported.
The deadly devices are also indiscriminate and have been known to harm domestic pets such as dogs and cats as well as wild animals including roe deer.
Mike Flynn, the Scottish SPCA’s chief superintendent, said: “The suffering that an animal endures in a snare is horrific and that is why we are in favour of an outright ban on the use of snares in Scotland.”
The charity also released distressing images of animals including a fox and a badger caught in snares.
One Scottish SPCA undercover inspector said: “We have been alerted to multiple animals caught in snares, who have been caused an immense amount of suffering, leading to their death.
“Snaring is legal subject to very stringent conditions.
“We see a lot of cases of illegal snaring, or legal snares being used illegally. The use of snares is very technical and time-consuming and unless a person is willing to dedicate the time and effort, it’s highly likely an animal’s welfare will be compromised.”
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