Scottish snared fox dies a slow agonising death

“By implementing this package, Scotland will have established the best possible practice in terms of animal welfare”, these are the promises of Scottish Environment Minister Mike Russell when rejecting a ban on snares in February 2008.

Fast forward a year and we received photos of a dead fox which had been caught by its hind legs in a snare set on a fence line.

The fox had been in the snare for at least two weeks and died a slow agonising death.

The snare had not been checked for at least two weeks as there were no footprints in the snow which has been here for at least two weeks (North Ayrshire).

Well Mr Russell, if this is the “best possible practice” we’d hate to see the worst?