A gamekeeper in Scotland faces fines after a fox was found trapped and suffering in a snare, highlighting the cruelty of such traps.
Ebner, 74, admitted to setting the snare on land owned by Old Castles Farm. He was sentenced at Selkirk Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering. The sheriff fined him £1,250, plus a surcharge.
An inspector from the Scottish SPCA said the fox was discovered by the public. It was seen jumping in distress, caught along a broken fence. The inspector noted the fox was in serious mental and physical pain.
The snare was set by someone who had training on how to do it properly. This incident shows how cruel snares can be. The Scottish Government has now banned snares to protect wildlife and reduce suffering.
The ban, effective from March 2024, covers all snares and glue traps. It aims to prevent unnecessary suffering to animals. The SSPCA has also gained more powers to tackle wildlife crime.
They can now search and seize evidence related to animal welfare offences. The new law includes measures to protect wildlife, reflecting long-standing calls for a ban on snares.
Snares can cause unimaginable pain to animals, both wild and domestic. They are often used to catch foxes and rabbits on estates. In 2022, there were renewed calls for a ban after experts highlighted the traps’ cruelty.
The SNP had previously resisted a ban, citing a lack of alternatives. But with the Scottish Greens in government, the issue was revisited. This change is a step towards better animal welfare in Scotland.
