The RSPCA has issued a warning to pet owners in one part of Merseyside after a cat was killed in a "barbaric" trap.
Stan the cat was found dead under a car in Pennard Avenue, Huyton, with a heavy spring trap around his head. He is not believed to have travelled very far when he became stuck in the trap and suffered from horrific injuries, which ultimately proved fatal.
Food was found glued the trap along with fur which appeared to have come from another animal. The RSPCA is urging people in the area to remain cautious following the incident and come forward with any information.
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RSPCA inspector Joanne McDonald, who is looking into the incident, said: “This is such an incredibly heartbreaking incident. Stan was a much-loved family pet and his owners are understandably upset.
“The trap was very heavy so we can’t imagine that Stan travelled very far after getting stuck in it. There was food glued to the trap and because it wasn’t set in a tunnel as required by law, whoever set this was putting any animal in the area at risk of serious injury.
“There also appears to be different coloured fur on the trap which suggests it had previously caught another animal.”
According to the animal charity, while spring traps themselves are not illegal, under section 8 of the Pests Act 1954, it is an offence to use or knowingly permit the use of any spring trap to kill or take animals, other than an approved trap, or in circumstances for which it is not approved.
Joanne said: “We’re warning pet owners in the area that this has happened and urge them to remain cautious. If anybody has any information, please do contact us so we can look into this further.
"It’s so upsetting that this has happened, so we need to find out who is setting these traps to avoid another innocent animal being targeted.”
The RSPCA said it is opposed to the manufacture, sale and use of all traps which cause suffering. Anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal faces an unlimited fine and/or five years in prison.
Evie Button, from the RSPCA’s wildlife department, said: “Spring traps are cruel and barbaric. They cause horrific injuries which can so often be fatal like in the case of Stan.
“They are totally indiscriminate in nature - victims can be wildlife or family pets; but whatever the animal, these devices cause a great deal of suffering. We are extremely concerned that someone has set one in a residential area where people often walk their dogs and where there are likely to be cats. When they’re not set correctly, spring traps can have devastating consequences and we’d appeal to anyone with information about this incident to get in contact with us.”
People with information about this incident should contact the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 1044752.
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