The RSPCA is urging people not to set glue traps after a robin died shortly after being prised from one.
The bird was found stuck to a board near Buckfastleigh, Devon and was taken to a specialist wildlife centre by an RSPCA officer.
Staff did everything they could to remove the glue from its feathers, legs and beak although they were unable to save the animal.
Glue traps – which are legal in the UK – consist of a sheet of cardboard, plastic or wood coated with non-drying adhesive and are usually used to catch rodents.
Animals get stuck to the board by their feet but in attempts to free themselves other parts of their body may get stuck too. Often their efforts lead to broken bones, ripped patched in fur and gnawed limbs.
The RSPCA argues glue traps cause ‘unacceptable suffering’ to animals, often trapping wild animals and pets.
‘Glue traps may seem like an effective way to catch rodents without killing them, but they come with very serious welfare issues and subject those animals unfortunate enough to get caught to horrific suffering,’ its head of wild animal science and policy, Adam Grogan, said.
‘Even the way they’re designed to catch animals – by sticking their limbs to the board as they cross it – inflicts pain and distress.’
The charity received 236 calls to its cruelty line between 2016 and 2020 relating to glue trap incidents involving animals including cats, birds and hedgehogs.
Less than 27% incidents the RSPCA has been called out to involve rodents, whilst 73% of incidents involve animals that were not the target.
Although legal, a private members’ bill – The Glue Traps (Offences) Bill – is progressing through Parliament and aims to make certain uses of glue traps an offence.
Whilst anyone can purchase and use the boards currently, any animal caught using them is protected under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which prohibits suffering through inappropriate or poor use of the traps.
What are the alternatives for glue traps?
The RSPCA suggests humane deterrence and prevention is always better than using any sort of trap.
If necessary, it recommends good quality, conventional break back traps – but these require care in using properly.
‘If a kill trap is used and the animal is still alive when found, then this creates more of a problem,’ the charity warns.
‘Certain kill traps are very effective at killing quickly and therefore could be considered humane, but not all traps are effective in what they do.
‘It is therefore very important to look for well built traps that will work properly.’
Rodenticide poison is often seen as a quick fix but comes with serious welfare issues, the RSPCA says.
As well as being slow-acting prolonging the suffering rodent, it can also pose a potential risk of secondary poisoning impacting other animals that eat it.
Live-catch traps may appeal to those who want to avoid killing mice and rats but it’s not unusual for them to die within them.
For example, small-sized live-catch traps would see the rodent’s breath cause condensation within the trap. The moisture can wet their fur making them very cold and lead to hypothermia.
This risk of this may be reduced if the trap has a large holding compartment and the traps are inspected frequently.
The RSPCA advises anyone considering any method to turn to a reputable pest control agency.
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