Tip-off leads to fox cub rescue

A tip-off to the National Anti-Snaring Campaign led to the rescue of a fox cub from a snare in the north-east.

The fox cub was discovered near Widdrington, Northumberland, at 7am on 25th June by a walker. It was caught near a stink pit consisting of a rotting bird and illegal animal carcases.

Concerned about the condition of the cub, which appeared to have been trapped for some time, but unable to free it because he didn’t have any equipment he contacted the NASC.

It is legal to set snares for foxes but the snares must be checked once a day. We contacted John Gill an anti snare campaigner from the North East in case the fox was still suffering the next day. He visited the following day only to find the fox cub still trapped in the snare and he released it.

John Gill who found the animal, said: “I can’t describe the relief and joy of releasing this beautiful young animal from this cruel and indiscriminate device.

“To use snares is disgusting but to entice the animal into the snare with the stinking carcass pit shows the disgraceful extent to which some gamekeepers will go. With the shooting season about to start this incident brings into sharp focus just how barbaric this so called sport really is.”

Among the dead animals used to entice foxes into the snares was a dead lamb which is contrary to legislation. As a result we’ve informed the Trading Standards Department and the local authorities.