Member of Parliament for North Ayrshire and Arran has called for a UK ban on the manufacture, sale and use of snares used to trap animals. The League Against Cruel Sports have recently published a report entitled “War on Wildlife” highlighting the issue”. Whilst certain type of snares are illegal in the United Kingdom there are number which are not and the report highlights that it is often difficult for the police to secure a prosecution of the use of illegal snares. Whilst the report focuses on country estates in England the use of snares is also legal in Scotland after the Scottish Government failed to outlaw the practice following a review on the subject in late 2007 and early 2008.
Speaking on the subject Ms. Clark said “I am very disappointed at the continuing use of snares across the United Kingdom. Snares often cause horrific suffering for animals trapped in them and lead to slow and painful deaths. Snares are also indiscriminate and have been known to trap cats and dogs as well as farm animals such as sheep. I believe this barbaric practice is completely out of place in 2009 and I urge the Governments in both Westminster and Holyrood to introduce legislation banning their use. 10,000 people in Scotland signed a petition calling for a ban last year showing that a ban would have strong public backing.”
The local MP has signed Early Day Motion 1473 in Parliament on the issue which calls for a complete ban on snares. The Motion currently has the support of 166 MPs.