Badger died in horrific snare

A BADGER suffered a “prolonged and horrific” death after it was trapped in an illegal snare in Sheffield.

The young female badger’s body was found by horrified RSPCA inspectors. It was caught in a fence at Onesacre, Oughtibridge, in what is believed to be the first incident of its kind in the area.

The South Yorkshire Badger Group say the badger’s death is a “blow”, while the RSPCA has appealed for information about the individual setting the traps.

“After becoming trapped in the snare it looks like the badger has attempted to get over the fence to get away,” a badger group spokesman said.

“Instead, she’s found herself tangled in it, thrashing around, the snare becoming tighter and tighter. She must have suffered a great deal.”

The homemade trap was a legal ‘free running’ snare – but the RSPCA believe it was set illegally.

Free-running snares must not be set where there is a likelihood of catching protected species.

Codes of practice state the snares should not be attached to fences, as this increases the risk of entanglement and injury.

“This was a prolonged and horrific death and we want to hear from anyone who knows who is setting these snares before another animal is caused to suffer so dreadfully,” RSPCA Insp Damian Woolliscroft said. Another snare was found nearby, he added.

The badger was discovered by a member of the public who contacted the RSPCA and the South Yorkshire Badger Group.

The spokesman for the group said badgers have previously been “quite welcome” in the area.

“The use of snares is quite common in areas where gamekeeping and shooting birds is popular, but that isn’t really the case here,” he said.

“This is the first incident I’ve heard of in Oughtibridge. It’s a bit of a blow.”

Anyone who has any information about the trap should call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

Photograph copyright of the RSPCA.