Over 10,000 signatures calling for ban on snaring

Wednesday, 22 April 2009 00:00

A public petition calling for a ban on the manufacture, possession, sale and use of all snares in Scotland has now been signed by an overwhelming 10,000 people.

The petition was presented to the Scottish Parliament’s Petition’s Committee in March last year, just two weeks after the Scottish Government’s controversial decision not to ban these crude and outdated traps. The petition has been kept open with support from the Committee which will meet today (Tuesday) to decide on its outcome.

Snares are thin wire nooses used by some farmers but mostly on sporting estates to trap predators thought to be a threat to game birds. They are completely indiscriminate and can trap any animal including protected species like badgers and otters as well as livestock, other wild animals and even domestic cats and dogs. They inflict horrific injuries and in many cases result in a slow, painful death for the animal.

Members of the committee have been shown disturbing footage of a badger trapped in a snare taken recently on a shooting estate in central Scotland.

Scottish Campaigns Manager for the League Against Cruel Sports, Louise Robertson said: “The committee has been incredibly supportive over the past year and we hope the fact so many people have signed our petition calling for a ban will encourage it to take action to progress the issue.”

Our Political Director, Libby Anderson added: “It is incredible that a year after it was first lodged this petition is still growing support. Ten thousand signatures is a real and significant milestone that clearly demonstrates to the Scottish Government the strength of public support for a ban on snares.”