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Scotland snare ban comes into force
“Snares are indiscriminate – they will capture and maim any animal unfortunate enough to come into their path” – Alice Palombo.
The new law has been welcomed by animal welfare organisations.

A ban on the use of snares in Scotland has come into force. The new law, part of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill, came into effect on 25 November.

The wire traps had been used to catch animals such as foxes, hares, and rabbits. However, they had been criticised by animal welfare organisations for pain they caused wildlife and the danger of pets being caught in them.

Cats Protection is one of the charities which has campaigned for several years for a ban.

Alice Palombo, advocacy and government relations officer for Scotland at Cats Protection, explained: “Snares are indiscriminate – they will capture and maim any animal unfortunate enough to come into their path.

“Once trapped, animals – which may be pets or wildlife – often suffer long, painful deaths. The few which manage to escape or are found are likely to be left needing amputation of limbs and life-changing injuries.”

The charity has highlighted the case of Harry, a pet cat from St Cyrus, Aberdeenshire, who was injured by a snare last year. Harry is believed to have been trapped in the snare for five days before he dragged himself to safety.

He received emergency surgery on a deep abdominal wound and was able to return home to his owner Marion Brownlie.

Ms Brownlie said: “Harry had been missing for five days when we found him collapsed in a field and it was like something from a nightmare – I was afraid to pick him up as it looked as though he’d been cut in two.

“He must have been in agony, but somehow he was still alive and after lots of veterinary treatment and rest he pulled through.”

Last year, the use of snares was banned in Wales. Although they currently remain legal to use in England, a ban on their use was included in the Labour Party manifesto.

Ms Palombo added: “This ban sends a message that cruel and inhumane practices no longer have a place in our society, and we will continue to campaign for snares to be banned across the UK following Scotland’s example.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.