Badger put to sleep after being caught in snare

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a badger was put to sleep after sustaining severe injuries from an illegal self-locking snare.

A member of the public spotted the badger late in the evening on Tuesday, August 18, in Narberth. The animal was clearly in pain and the snare, which was being dragged around by the badger, was digging into its chest.

Several sightings of the badger occurred on subsequent evenings at the same time.

An RSPCA officer caught the female badger on Thursday, August 20. The injuries sustained by the animal were so severe that sadly she had to be put to sleep by a local vet.

The snare had embedded itself in the animal’s chest, to a depth of two inches.

RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said: “This is the worst snare incident I’ve ever seen; it was horrendous. The pain this badger must have endured is unimaginable and we urge people not to set these illegal snares which indiscriminately maim and kill animals.

“I would ask anyone with knowledge of who may own this snare or any idea about who is setting them in this area to please get in contact with us. We appeal to the public to help us with our enquiries as while these snares are being set, animals’ lives are in real danger.”

The jaws of pole and gin traps that are serrated or toothed are both illegal in the 1954 Pests Act.

The RSPCA is opposed to the manufacture, sale and use of all snares and any traps which cause suffering.

Anyone with information can contact the RSPCA national cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999. All calls are treated in confidence.