Animal Aid raise awareness of campaign to ban use of snares

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The TV presenter and conservationist is backing Animal Aid’s petition to make snares illegal. The wire nooses – which are banned throughout most of Europe – are used to catch animals such as foxes and rabbits viewed as pests.

The Countryside Alliance said they are an “important tool in wildlife management”.

But campaigners argue they cause huge suffering and catch other animals such as protected badgers and even pet dogs and cats.

Mr Packham told Express.co.uk the use of snares was “antiquated, cruel and hideous”.

He added: “There’s no room for snares in the UK countryside in the 21st century.”

Jessamy Korotoga, head of campaigns at Animal Aid, said: “Many people can’t believe that snares are still legal.

“These cruel and indiscriminate traps can, and do, catch foxes, cats, dogs, deer and badgers, leading to excruciating injuries and prolonged deaths.

“Animals who are caught can struggle to escape – the wire snare is capable of cutting through flesh and bone. Even if an animal escapes, they can die later of their injuries.

“This is why Animal Aid, along with many other animal protection groups and their millions of supporters, are calling for a ban on snares.”

Snares should be regularly checked and animals humanely killed, but Mr Packham said this does not always happen in practice. 

He said: “The animals die of starvation, they die of dehydration, they die in excruciating pain, often they break their limbs.

“The other thing is that if you have a small animal that’s trapped, then a larger animal will come and eat it.”

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Animal Aid’s petition is also being supported by Downton Abbey actor Peter Egan.

Mr Egan said: “The snares are just absolutely horrible and they are indiscriminate. Whether it be a fox or any animal that gets caught in it, often domestic companion animals. It’s so cruel.”

Animal Aid also has the backing of a number of other charities including the RSPCA, Battersea and Cats Protection.

The charity has until next May to reach 100,000 signatures to trigger a debate in Parliament. It comes after their previous petition on snares earlier this year closed with 84,636 signatures.

In a statement, the Countryside Alliance said: “Snares benefit conservation and a range of economic activities from shooting and agriculture to forestry and eco-tourism.

“There is often no practical and effective replacement for snaring at crucial times of the year to protect livestock and wildlife, particularly during spring and summer. Well-designed snares, used properly, are a humane and effective form of fox control.”

The Government has pledged to launch a call for evidence on the use of snares but a date has not been set. Defra did not comment.

View Animal Aid’s petition here.

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