SNARES are “antiquated, cruel and hideous”, Chris Packham said as he backed a new petition calling for the animal traps to be banned.

By KATIE HARRIS10:30, Sun, Dec 19, 2021 | UPDATED: 12:20, Sun, Dec 19, 202135

Animal Aid raise awareness of campaign to ban use of snares

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The TV presenter and conservationist is backing Animal Aid’s petition to make snares illegal. The wire nooses – which are banned throughout most of Europe – are used to catch animals such as foxes and rabbits viewed as pests.

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The Countryside Alliance said they are an “important tool in wildlife management”.

But campaigners argue they cause huge suffering and catch other animals such as protected badgers and even pet dogs and cats.

Mr Packham told Express.co.uk the use of snares was “antiquated, cruel and hideous”.

He added: “There’s no room for snares in the UK countryside in the 21st century.”

Campaigners are calling for a ban on snares (Image: HIT)

Snares can trap pet dogs and cats (Image: NC)

Jessamy Korotoga, head of campaigns at Animal Aid, said: “Many people can’t believe that snares are still legal.

“These cruel and indiscriminate traps can, and do, catch foxes, cats, dogs, deer and badgers, leading to excruciating injuries and prolonged deaths.

“Animals who are caught can struggle to escape – the wire snare is capable of cutting through flesh and bone. Even if an animal escapes, they can die later of their injuries.

“This is why Animal Aid, along with many other animal protection groups and their millions of supporters, are calling for a ban on snares.”

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Chris Packham has been campaigning against snares for years (Image: GETTY)

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Snares should be regularly checked and animals humanely killed, but Mr Packham said this does not always happen in practice. 

He said: “The animals die of starvation, they die of dehydration, they die in excruciating pain, often they break their limbs.

“The other thing is that if you have a small animal that’s trapped, then a larger animal will come and eat it.”