ON Wednesday evening last week my husband discovered a dead fox in the bushes of our garden. This in itself was extremely distressing, but on closer inspection he found that it had been caught in a snare.
On speaking to the RSPCA the type of snare it was in was perfectly legal. Well, that's okay then! What was totally unacceptable was the fact that the snare had obviously been set incorrectly as the unfortunate fox had not only his head in it, but also his foot, therefore rendering the snare ineffective. Instead of a relatively quick death, this fox must have suffered a very slow, agonising death over several days.
At this point I must stress that I fully realise that foxes have to be killed in certain circumstances, but could I ask the persons responsible for setting these snares that they ensure that the snares are set correctly, that they are checked at regular intervals and last, but not least that they have some regard to any domestic animals that are in close proximity to where these snares are being set.
Having seen at close quarters what suffering these indiscriminately laid snares can cause, I am surprised that they are not outlawed. What on earth is wrong with a clean shot from a rifle? Yes, I know more labour-intensive, but surely a quicker, kinder death.
Mrs Pauline HInds
Amberley
Station Road
Bere Ferrers