The banning of tortuous snare traps, which ensnare animals with wire nooses around their necks, is a significant step outlined in a new Animal Welfare Strategy. These traps subject animals to prolonged suffering without access to essentials like water, food, or shelter. Advocates have been urging England to prohibit these inhumane and non-selective traps to align with Wales and Scotland.
Official figures indicate that over 200,000 wire traps are concealed in the English countryside, but the actual number could be even higher. These traps, which constrict around the neck, body, or limbs of animals, inflict immense pain and distress before the animal is either shot or faces a slow death.
Apart from the intended targets, such as hares and badgers, snares often trap unintended animals like pet dogs. Incidents like the video showing a fox caught in a snare on the Sandringham estate have sparked outrage and highlighted the cruelty of these traps.
Concerns about snares have led to public support for a ban, with a YouGov survey reporting that 71% of adults in England believe snares should be illegal. The new Animal Welfare Strategy by the government, set to be fully unveiled next Monday, aims to address these issues.
Emma Slawinski, the chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, praised the government’s move to ban snares, emphasizing the risks these traps pose not only to targeted animals but also to unintended victims.
Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman affirmed the commitment to ending animal cruelty, highlighting the ban on snare traps as part of this effort. The government is also considering further actions to address welfare concerns related to other wildlife traps.
By outlawing snares, the government aims to demonstrate a progressive stance on animal welfare, reflecting the sentiment of a nation that values the well-being of animals.