The police and Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) are investigating after a badger was found caught in a snare last month in the Skyeburn area of Dumfries and Galloway. Snares are currently legal in the UK although a review is underway in Scotland.

Alexis Fleming who runs the Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice in Kirkcudbright was alerted to the suffering animal and managed to release it and take it to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre in Beith, Ayrshire where it is being cared for. Hessilhead has an excellent reputation for animal care and rehabilitation so this story may have a happier ending than many other cases where non target animals are caught in snares. It is however the case that snares are entirely indiscriminate devices and will catch anything that enters the loop whether it be a badger, otter, cat, dog horse’s hoof or fell runners ankle. Investigations will show whether this snare was placed and monitored legally.

In the words of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, ” Fox snares are an imperfect tool. They have the potential to catch non-target species, and to cause tremendous suffering in captured and escaping animals.” This has occurred on far too many occasions. There is no place for them in a decent modern society and they should be banned.