The Scottish Government has released a new Government Consultation and is seeking views on the use of snares and increased Scottish SPCA inspector powers. It will inform the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill.
It would really help make sure that snares are consigned to history if you could take a moment or two to complete the Government consultation.
While you’re doing that, you could also take the opportunity to agree to another Government plan to give the Scottish Society for the Protection of Animals (SSPCA) increased powers to help stop the illegal killing or suffering of wild animals.
The deadline is 3rd October.
* For this consultation we strongly encourage you to not simply copy and paste what is below and to maximise the individuality of your response by adding your personal thoughts and comments.
* The link to responding to this consultation is here and also at the end of the bullet points below. Don't forget to share this page with your networks!
Guidance
Snaring
Q1. Do you agree with our proposals to amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Act so that it is an offence to: a) use a snare or other type of cable restraint for the purpose of killing or trapping a wild animal and; b) use a snare or other type of cable restraint in any way that is likely to injure a wild animal.
Yes: You may wish to highlight the following points:
- Snaring is inhumane, causing severe suffering to animals.
- Many case studies and scientific reports demonstrate that snares are inherently inhumane, causing prolonged suffering and often a slow agonising death to wild and domestic animals. Much of this occurs when the wire can twist and tighten leading to strangulation or other severe injuries.
- Sites where animals have been caught in snares show signs of extreme disturbance to the surrounding ground - known as “doughnuts” - where the animal has tried to run jump or scramble its way out of the trap.
- Snares are indiscriminate
- Snares and inherently indiscriminate and regularly catch a wide range of non-target species including Scottish wildcats, mountain hares, badgers, hedgehogs, deer, otters, and family pets. Scientific reports estimate that between 21% and 69% of animals caught in snares were not target species.
- Snares are unnecessary and counter-productive.
- Most snares are set on shooting estates to target foxes so that there can be more grouse to shoot for sport. Science shows that if a fox is killed it is usually replaced by another fox within a short space of time.
- There are alternatives to cruel and indiscriminate snares.
- These include cage trapping, the use of guard species, such as llamas who can protect lambs from foxes and shooting foxes at night using thermal imaging sights.
Q2. Do you think that the Scottish Government should consider allowing an exception for the use of snares for the live capture of mammals for research purposes for example, catching foxes to allow tracking devices to be fitted?
No: You may wish to highlight the following point:
- Because of the reasons given in Question 1 that snares are cruel and indiscriminate – there can be no circumstances where they could be used without endangering both target and non-target animals.
Q3. If you answered yes question 2, do you agree than anyone using snares for this purpose would require a licence from NatureScot?
Leave unanswered.
Q4. Other than for the purpose set out in question 2, are there any other purposes for which you think an exemption should be available to allow a person to use a snare or cable restraint to temporarily capture a wild animal?
No: You might want to highlight the following point:
- Because of the reasons given in Question 1 that snares are cruel and indiscriminate – there can be no circumstances where they could be used without endangering both target and non-target animals.
Powers of the Scottish SPCA Inspectors
Q5. Do you agree with our proposal to provide Scottish SPCA inspectors who are acting under their existing powers under the 2006 Act, with additional powers to search, examine and seize evidence in connection with specific offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981?
Yes: You might want to discuss your views on the following:
- Point out that these powers would allow SSPCA inspectors, who are already on location investigating wildlife crime, to search, examine and seize evidence. For example, if inspectors were investigating an animal welfare incident where it appeared that there was evidence of wildlife crime on that land, then they would be able to seize other potential evidence in the area. Previously, they would have needed the assistance of Police Scotland to do this.
- This should lead to more effective policing of wildlife crime in Scotland and could help decrease the number of wildlife crimes committed, as more cases would be investigated with additional expertise.
- This would not only deter potential offenders, but also help achieve a higher detection rate and reduce suffering to wild animals.
Q6. Do you agree with our proposal to provide Scottish SPCA inspectors who are acting under their existing powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, with additional powers to search, examine and seize evidence in connection with specific offences under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill?
Yes: You might want to discuss your views on the following:
- Point out that these powers would allow SSPCA inspectors, who are already on location investigating wildlife crime, to search, examine and seize evidence. For example, if inspectors were investigating an animal welfare incident where it appeared that there was evidence of wildlife crime on that land, then they would be able to seize other potential evidence in the area. Previously, they would have needed the assistance of Police Scotland to do this.
- This will lead to more effective policing of wildlife crime in Scotland and could help decrease the number of wildlife crimes committed, as more cases would be investigated with additional expertise.
- This would not only deter potential offenders, but also help achieve a higher detection rate and reduce suffering to wild animals.
Q7.
Yes.
Point out that these conditions appear to be sensible.
Questions 8 – 15
Complete your own details and consents.
LINK TO ANSWERING THE CONSULTATION IS HERE
*Using the link just above, please fill in the public consultation.
Thanks for taking the time to offer your views – it really does make a big difference for our people, our wildlife and the environment.
