The RSPCA is appealing for information after a fox and a cat were both caught in illegal gin traps in two separate incidents in October.
Fox put to sleep to end his suffering
The fox was discovered on Sunday, 26 October amongst reeds in Wendover Canal, behind Wenwell Close, in Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire. The chain attached to the trap, usually used to anchor them to the ground, had become tangled in the reeds.
The fox was still alive, but the trap had mutilated his back leg. It is thought that he had been there for at least a day and had dragged the trap along on his leg. However, he would not have been able to travel far, so the trap had probably been set nearby.
RSPCA Animal Collection Officer (ACO) Andy Eddy removed the trap, but the leg was too badly damaged and the fox was sadly put to sleep to prevent him from suffering further.
Cat loses leg due to extent of injuries
A neighbour found Fluff, a female tortoiseshell cat, screaming in agony on Thursday, 23 October in a communal parking/garden area on Woodhall Road in Pudsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire.
Unfortunately due to the extent of her injuries, Fluff had to have her leg amputated.
Owner Debi Mackney said: "I just can't believe these devices are still out there and I'm disgusted that someone would put something like this where children play.
"It's been three weeks since it happened now and physically Fluff is managing okay without her leg. I am amazed at how she is getting about.
"Mentally, however, she's a wreck. She's become a totally different cat. She used to be outside all the time, now she doesn't want to leave the house. She's gone from being a very affectionate cat to scared and jumpy. It's very sad."
One of the most harmful traps
Gin traps are mechanical traps designed to catch an animal by its leg using spring-operated jaws with teeth, or a serrated edge as in both of these cases.
The use of gin traps has been illegal in England and Wales since 1958, but some are still being used to catch animals such as rabbits and foxes.
The traps are indiscriminate so domestic animals, like cats, may fall foul of them, but it is illegal to cause any animal to suffer by using the traps.
The sale or possession of such traps is not illegal, but the RSPCA wants to make people aware that they can face prosecution by setting a gin trap.
RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Hampton said: "People have to realise that by setting a gin trap they are breaking the law and could be causing animals like this fox and cat to suffer a great deal of pain and distress.
"If you have a gin trap, please do not use it as you could be leaving yourself open to prosecution."
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, anyone found guilty of setting a gin trap which causes unnecessary suffering to an animal could face a maximum six-month prison sentence and/or a £20,000 fine.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anyone with any information about either of these incidents is urged to contact the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty and advice line: 0300 1234 999. Calls will be treated in the strictest confidence.