Dog Caught in Snare near South Downs Way Sparks Safety Concerns

A dog walker has issued an urgent warning after their pet was caught in a snare while walking near Kithurst Hill, Storrington, West Sussex. The land is owned by the Duke of Norfolk and has been a focus of attention for the National Anti-Snaring Campaign (NASC) after many dogs and wildlife have suffered in snares on the estate.

The incident, reported on social media by the Pulborough Village Group, occurred in a wooded area just south of the car park. The dog sustained injuries, including swollen and bloodied eyes, as it attempted to free itself from the device.

The dog owner updated the NASC:

“I am still in a bit of shock after my dog got caught in the snare at the weekend. I’ve never been so scared and angry in equal measure to find your dog in scrubby woodland screaming with fright with a wire noose around his neck, bleeding out of his eyes due to the pressure of being strangled.

“Having taken him to the vets to be told he was a very lucky boy to be still alive and his sight intact, I began looking up the law and was horrified to find that it’s legal in England.”

The owner managed to remove the snare but expressed concern that there may be more in the area and urged other dog walkers to exercise caution.

Simon Wild, of the National Anti-Snaring Campaign, said: “This incident highlights the indiscriminate nature of snares. The snare was a DB snare that the GWCT promotes as a ‘Humane Cable Restraint’! However, they don’t distinguish between target species and beloved pets, causing tremendous suffering and distress.”

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, setting snares for non-target species or placing them where protected animals might be caught is illegal.