Snaring and Trapping covers cases involving the illegal use, placement or misuse of snares, traps and other devices designed to capture, injure or kill wildlife. These offences often involve cruel, indiscriminate equipment that causes prolonged suffering, including wire snares, gin traps, spring traps, cage traps and homemade devices set in fields, woodland, gardens or rural pathways. Many incidents breach UK wildlife legislation, with traps placed unlawfully, left unchecked or used to target protected species.
Victims frequently include foxes, badgers, rabbits, hares, birds and domestic pets caught accidentally. Offences may involve traps set in inappropriate locations, snares positioned to cause maximum injury, devices left to cause prolonged suffering, or equipment used by individuals engaged in wider wildlife persecution or rural criminal activity. This sub‑category identifies cases where illegal snaring or trapping is central to the offending, with specific crime types classified under the relevant wildlife‑crime or cruelty categories.
CONVICTED (2026) | Mark Hewitson, born 28 April 1968, of Bannister Drive, Leyland PR25 2GE – set an illegal trap which caused serious injuries to a pet cat.
The unnamed family pet was caught in the trap on January 9, 2026, and returned home with injuries so severe that his leg had to be amputated.
Following an investigation, Mark Hewitson was arrested by officers from Lancashire Constabulary’s South Rural Task Force. He was subsequently charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and use of an animal trap in circumstances for which it is not approved.
In court, he admitted the charges and was fined and ordered to pay compensation to the cat’s owner.
PC Sam Davey from the South Rural Task Force said: “This was a distressing incident which caused significant and avoidable suffering to a much-loved pet.
“Traps must only ever be used in a lawful and responsible manner, and in this case they were clearly not.
“We take reports of animal cruelty extremely seriously, and this outcome reflects that.
“I hope it also serves as a reminder that misuse of traps can have devastating consequences, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
Sentencing | fined £112 and ordered to pay £750 in compensation. Confiscation of two spring-loaded traps.
CONVICTED (2026) | Jarrod Hill, born 25 December 1966, of Garnswllt Road, Pontarddulais, Swansea SA4 8QG – for the illegal setting of animal snares.
Hill, who runs the White Springs Fishery with his wife, admitted setting snares to capture wild mammals and specifically foxes.
The snares were discovered on October 10, 2025, by Dyfed-Powys Police officers and Natural Resources Wales staff carrying out fishery compliance checks at the fishery.
During questioning at the scene, Hill admitted responsibility for setting the devices to trap foxes, which he said were killing his ducks.
He had previously received a warning in 2022 about the use of snares, which at that time were still legal in certain circumstances, but continued to use them even after the change in the law*.
Sergeant Paul Roberts, of Dyfed-Powys Police’s Rural Crime Team, said the case marked an important milestone.
“Working closely with our partner agency, Natural Resources Wales, we welcome this outcome. Snares are a significant threat to wildlife, causing severe injuries and deaths,” he said.
“I’m proud we have secured the first conviction of its kind in Wales; this case underscores our shared commitment to protecting wildlife and ensuring that those who breach these laws are held accountable.”
Sentencing | 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
*The use of snares was banned in Wales on October 17, 2023, under the Agriculture (Wales) Act. This made Wales the first UK nation to introduce a total ban on both snares and glue traps.
Snares are wire traps designed to capture animals by tightening around the body, often causing prolonged suffering. They can trap animals indiscriminately, with studies showing a high proportion of non-target species, including pets, are caught.
CONVICTED (2026) | fomer gamekeeper Thomas Munday, born c. 1990, of Gillamoor, York YO62 – beat a wild bird to death with a stick.
Thomas Munday was filmed killing the buzzard on land belonging to the Hovingham Estate, in North Yorkshire, in March 2024.
The footage, filmed secretly by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), showed the bird entering a crow trap cage and four hours later being struck repeatedly with a stick by Munday.
He is then captured tossing the bird’s lifeless body into the front of an all-terrain vehicle and leaving.
The RSPB shared the video with North Yorkshire Police. Munday, who at the time was employed as a gamekeeper on the estate, was later identified.
Police seized a number of items from the land, including the stick used to kill the buzzard, which had its DNA on.
Munday was subsequently charged with the illegal killing of the buzzard, an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. He admitted the charge but was let off with a fine.
Howard Jones, RSPB senior investigations officer, said: “The casual and brutal killing of the buzzard is extremely upsetting to watch and it’s clear that Munday has a complete disregard for the law, and the legislation that protects these birds.
“Frustratingly, this incident isn’t a one off but is just the latest example of the cruel and disturbing lengths some individuals will go to in order to illegally kill birds of prey.
“These crimes and the wider issue of bird of prey persecution is significantly linked to the gamebird shooting industry. Without long overdue regulation of gamebird shooting we expect to see these crimes continue.”
A Defra spokesperson added: “Birds of prey are a precious feature of our national landscapes and anyone found guilty of illegally killing these vulnerable species should face the full force of the law.
“We are funding the National Wildlife Crime Unit and working with policy and conservation groups to stamp out bird of prey crime.”
CONVICTED (2025) | Oliver Thomas Bates, born 1998, of Church Drive, Leven, Beverley HU17 5LH (previously Robinson Gardens, Cottingham) – for a catalogue of animal welfare offences related to organised bloodsports including cockfighting and illegal deer trapping.
Bates, a father-of-two, pleaded guilty to five animal welfare offences alongside charges of animal mutilation, illegal trapping and cruelty to deer and hares.
In October 2024, RSPCA officers, working alongside police and an expert from World Horse Welfare, visited a smallholding in Tickton, near Beverley, to carry out animal welfare checks after concerns were raised.
In a written statement, an officer from the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit, said: “A number of birds were underweight and the environment was unsuitable. The police officer seized the birds due to concerns raised and they were removed and taken to a vet for examination and opinion.”
Bates was not present during the visit, so warning notices about the conditions of the birds were issued to a relative.
A mobile phone belonging to Bates was later confiscated by the police for forensic examination.
Footage recovered from the phone showed cockerels being placed together to fight and spar, along with material relating to “dubbing”, which involves cutting off the comb, wattles, or earlobes of a cockerel.
The court also heard evidence of videos, recorded by Bates, showing animals caught in illegal snares, including a roe deer and a brown hare.
RSPCA Wildlife Partnerships Manager Geoff Edmond said one video depicted a roe deer “caught in a wire type snare around the rear of the head and neck area”.
He said the snare resulted in the death of the deer. Another video showed a dead brown hare caught in a snare.
Mr Edmond added: “Snares can legally be used to catch this species, but must be inspected regularly, and no animal should be found dead in a snare. When used incorrectly, snares are capable of causing injuries and suffering to animals and to snare non-targeted species is entirely inappropriate and, in the case of deer, illegal.”
In mitigation, the defence said that Bates had experienced physical and mental health difficulties.
Speaking after sentencing, an RSPCA spokesperson said: “It was rightly highlighted in court that animals are sentient beings, and it is widely acknowledged that they can feel emotion, pain and distress. Abuse and cruelty to animals will not be tolerated. This applies to all species, including wildlife, and those sometimes regarded as pest species, which are all protected by laws and regulations.”
Sentencing | 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months; 15 days of ‘rehab’ and six-month alcohol treatment requirement; £400 in costs plus £154 victim surcharge. He was banned from keeping all animals for 15 years (expires December 2040).
CONVICTED (2025) | John Dysart, born c. 1994, of 23 Whins Road, Alloa FK10 3RF – trained dogs for fights and filmed them killing pet cats and badgers
John Dysart was jailed after filiming cats and badgers being ripped apart for his own gratification.
Dysart, whose disturbing’urban hunting’ hobby can be traced back as far as 2012, was finally caught after he videoed two of his dogs mauling a cat to death in the street.
When the video went viral in the local area in September 2023, the Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) was inundated with calls about it. In March 2024 the animal charity then received information that Dysart and an associate were going out with three dogs to kill badgers and cats, and filming the fights on their phones
An SSPCA Special Investigations inspector said: “During March 2024, we received information that Dysart had acquired a black bull lurcher and was regularly going out in the late evening and early mornings with two lurcher types for the purposes of killing badgers, foxes and cats, and filming these fights on his mobile phone.
“We also received numerous phone calls to our helpline regarding Dysart posting videos of his dogs deliberately killing a domestic cat in a street in the Alloa area. An anonymous person sent one such video to the SSPCA Helpline.
“The video shows a cat being attacked by a black lurcher-type dog and a grey lurcher-type dog. The attack occurred on a pavement in a residential street during darkness.
“The attack is illuminated by the light from the mobile phone device recording the fight.
“A black lurcher-type dog with a purple collar can be seen biting the cat’s back near its rear legs, while simultaneously, a grey lurcher-type dog with a black collar can be seen biting the cat by its throat.
“The cat can be heard whining and groaning as the two dogs maul it to death from either side.”
A fellow urban hunter was so horrified by the footage that he became a witness against Dysart.
He wrote in a text message: “Letting your fucking dogs maul cats. That’s some wean’s pet. Fucking sick in the head, that so OT, it’s lowest of the fcking low, you’ll end up getting those dogs put down.
“Cunts like you shouldn’t have pets, you sick wee evil bastard getting a buzz out of stuff like that.”
Dysart called his associate a “grass”, and claimed he wasn’t looking for cats, but that once the attack started it wasn’t safe to intervene. He said that his only mistake was to film the ordeal.
The abuser warned his contact: “You watch your status. You may as well be phoning the police up yourself and giving a statement.”
But he responded by telling Dysart he had “clearly been sending videos to people you thought was funny”.
Police and SSPCA officers raided the homes of Dysart and his associate, who was not charged.
A black female lurcher was found in an upstairs bedroom together with a collar covered in badger DNA.
Illegal veterinary medicine and syringes used to treat dogs hurt in animal fights were found in Dysart’s fridge.
Prosecutor Karen Rollo said the drug was used by individuals involved in animal fighting, but “commonly” did not take their dogs to vets for treatment as dog-fighting injuries were “easily identified”.
A mobile phone was found showing five videos of cats and badgers being attacked by dogs.
Items used for hunting wild animals were recovered, including high-powered lamps, used at night to reveal live quarry and stun it, a fork, a spade, snares, and camouflage clothing.
A grey lurcher was found at the home of Dysart’s associate, the third canine in the set of videos, together with the black lurcher and a fawn lurcher of Dysart’s, who is said to have died.
Videos were presented to the court, one showing a fawn dog chewing on a dying badger.
Dysart messaged a friend about the incident, bragging that the dog was “smashing pigs for fun”, pigs being animal fighters’ slang for badgers. Another showed two dogs playing tug-of-war with a dying badger.
Dysart admitted keeping or training three lurchers for animal fights, causing unnecessary suffering by setting his dogs on cats, allowing them to bite, pull, attack them, and kill them, making videos of the crimes and sharing them online, setting dogs on a badger, killing or injuring the wild animal, and owning equipment designed or adapted for use at an animal fights.
The offences were committed between February 2022 and March 2024.
Solicitor Mary-Ellen Scobbie, defending, said: “He apologises for his actions.
“He advises that he used to hunt rabbits and when he was out the dogs would sometimes go for other animals.
“He acknowledges he should have kept his dogs under better control.”
Jailing Dysaart for 10 months, Sheriff Neil Bowie told him: “You kept and trained three dogs, causing injury to and ultimately killing domestic cats.
“You also set dogs on badgers, causing them to be attacked, severely injured and most likely killed.
“This was very significant cruelty towards defenceless and protected animals, apparently for your senseless gratification.
“This was both deliberate and planned. You had equipment designed and adapted for use at animal fights.
“This was further aggravated by you publishing video recordings of theoffending, some of it in itself caused further distress to those who viewed it.
“Due to the gravity of your offending, the only appropriate sentence is one of imprisonment.”
The SSPCA welcomed Dysart’s conviction, adding that all animals involved have since been adopted and are now living in safe, caring environments.
Its CEO, Mark Bishop said “This was a particularly harrowing case, and our team did an outstanding job building a strong case to secure a conviction and protect Scotland’s animals.
“The presence of STV filming in court today, which is unheard of for animal abuse cases, shows the severity of this crime and the strength of public concern. Animal abuse has no place in our society and only together, with people across Scotland, can we stop it.”
Sentencing | jailed for 10 months. Banned from keeping animals for life.
CONVICTED (2025) | gamekeeper Thomas Ebner, born c. 1950, of 27 Ladeside, Reston, Eyemouth TD14 5JW – for cruelty to a fox found distressed and foaming at the mouth on a snare.
The distressed fox was freed by two workmen after becoming trapped in an unlawful snare set by callous gamekeeper Thomas Ebner
The terrified fox was saved from a slow and agonising death by two passing workmen who found him suspended by his neck on a bloodied broken fence line in a field.
The men were able to free the animal using using wire cutters before reporting the matter to police.
Ebner, who was employed as a gamekeeper on land belonging to Oldcastles Farm, Chirnside, Duns TD11 3LF, was apprehended and charged. In court, he pleaded to setting a snare that could cause unnecessary suffering to any animal that came into contact with it.
Passing sentence, Sheriff Peter Paterson said: “This is a breach of [the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act]. You knew what you were doing, and the fox suffered.
“But, I must consider that you have no previous convictions and pleaded guilty.”
A ban on the use of snares didn’t come into effect until March 2024, as part of the act.
But the court heard it was the placement of the snare that was unlawful on this occasion.
Ebner had been taught, and completed courses on, how to set snares lawfully. His solicitor described this offence as an “error of judgement”.
Condemning the trap, an inspector from the Scottish SPCA’s Special Investigations Unit said: “This snare was set in a way that caused suffering to the fox. There was a significant risk of it becoming entangled in the fence, which could have led to strangulation.
“It was clear that the fox was experiencing both mental and physical distress. The animal was at further risk of injury from surrounding barbed wire and broken wood.
“The snare was set by an individual who had attended an official snare training course, where they were taught the correct way to set snares.
“This is yet another example of the cruel impact snares can have on animal welfare and the unnecessary suffering they cause.”
Sentencing | fined £1,250 and ordered to pay a £75 surcharge.
CONVICTED (2023) | former head gamekeeper David John Scott, born c. 1989, of Bridgehaugh, Dufftown, Keith AB55 4DS – kept 14 dogs in appalling conditions at the home he shared with wife Gillian Elizabeth Scott.
David Scott, a former gamekeeper, admitted neglecting 14 dogs with additional charges relating to dog fighting and setting a dog on a snared fox were dropped. Photo credit: Press & Journal
Scott admitted a catalogue of animal welfare offences in relation to 14 neglected dogs.
The Crown accepted a not guilty plea from his wife, Gillian Scott.
The court heard Scott had been head gamekeeper at Cabrach and Glenfiddich Estates until the raid on his home in September 2022.
Fiscal depute Karen Poke said the Scottish SPCA’s special investigation unit had received a tip-off about the welfare of animals being kept by the Scotts during August 2022 and attended the scene with police.
Wife Gillian Scott escaped punishment after her not guilty plea was accepted by the court
There they found three “wet, extremely dirty” and “totally unacceptable” kennel blocks, each without any sleeping areas for the dogs.
Ms Poke said: “There was a strong smell of faeces and urine abundant throughout the kennels,
“There were no dry areas for the dogs to lie down and no evidence of any dog food.”
The officers found a barrel full of rotten meat and fish it was suggested this is what the dogs were being fed.
All 14 dogs were removed to the care of the SSPCA and were said to have been “suffering and in distress”.
Scott admitted causing unnecessary suffering and pain to dogs by not seeking veterinary treatment or providing them with essential care.
Photo credit: Press & Journal
As part of a plea bargain, a not guilty plea to a charge that Scott trained a male black and tan dog called Boysie to fight and supplied videos of his brawls was accepted by the Crown.
The dog-fights were said to have taken place at the home address.
Another offence, whilst at Cabrach and Glenfiddich Estate on July 13 2022, of snaring a fox and letting his dog attack it, was also dropped.
The 14 neglected dogs included:
Ellie, a female harrier-type dog, who suffered an ear mite infection for weeks without getting treatment.
Babatoots, a female spaniel who also had infected ears and gums for weeks without medical help.
Toots, another female spaniel who suffered from infections of the ears and gums.
Sadie, a female spaniel who had chronic ear infections and conjunctivitis.
Defence counsel Callum Anderson said the couple had been going through a “difficult period” in their lives at the time of the police raid. He said Scott had accepted the conditions were “awful” and said the kennels had become so wet due to a “torrential storm” the night before.
Mr Anderson said Mrs Scott still owns two dogs as family pets and said the lapse was due to “dramatic circumstances”, including the death of her father and a medical issue around the date of the offences.
“They accept they were not dealing with matters at that time. That is the reason why veterinary treatment was neglected,” he said.
Scott had lost his position as head gamekeeper after the raid and had been “demoted sideways”, whilst still earning a salary of £40,000 plus accommodation worth £15,000 per annum.
“He recognises it was not acceptable and lessons have been learned,” Mr Anderson said.
On sentencing, Sheriff Robert McDonald said Scott had “failed to keep a grip” on his animals, adding: “No matter how bad your life is, your animals still need looking after.
“The dogs don’t care. If things are tough, you should make arrangements for them.
“I am conscious of your employment and that you may be around dogs when out on a shoot. I have the power to impose a custodial sentence or a £20,000 fine.
“However, I have taken this into account and take a serious view and will impose a fine.”
Sentencing | fined £1,275. Banned from owning more than two dogs for just three years (expires September 2026).
CONVICTED (2023) | hillbilly brothers Grant Stuart Campbell and David Campbell of 74 Woodside Crescent, Newmains, Wishaw ML2 9NA – for appalling cruelty to multiple dogs in their care.
Grant Campbell received an indefinite ban on owning animals while David Campbell is only disqualified for five years. Photo: Daily Record
Self-styled ‘rat-catcher‘ Grant Campbell pleaded guilty to seven charges of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide veterinary treatment for various conditions and injuries affecting six dogs in his care, including a broken leg.
Injured dogs were kept in shocking conditions at the family home brothers Grant and David Campbell share with their mother MaryThe Campbells’ home in Woodside Crescent, Newmains, viewed from above
His brother David Campbell pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to provide a suitable environment for two of the dogs and failing to keep them free from suffering, injury or disease as their clinical condition strongly displayed signs of neglect and failure to seek veterinary care.
Scottish SPCA inspector, Dawn Murrie, said: “We had several dealings with Grant and David Campbell from March 2021 in regard to the conditions dogs were being kept in and traps Grant Campbell had around the Newmains area.
“Advice was given on the conditions the dogs were being kept in on several occasions and we issued an animal welfare notice that the Campbells complied with. Advice was also given to Grant Campbell on the operation of his traps and the requirements for their appropriate use.
Tara’s painful arthritis went untreated by her heartless owners
“On 19 October 2021 we received another complaint to our animal helpline about the conditions at the property.
“We attended and it was immediately clear that there were issues throughout. There was a strong foul odour as we entered, and the pathway into the garden and dog kennels was covered in faeces, hazards and rubbish.
“The kennels themselves were full of urine and faeces with a complete lack of suitable, dry bedding available for the dogs.
“One kennel was so full of faeces that no part of the flooring was visible. The door to this kennel was closed over and, at first, we assumed this to be a dumping ground for all of the faeces accumulated from the other dogs. Further examination revealed two large, adult deerhound type dogs, lying in the back compartment of the kennel.
“We had immediate concerns for the welfare of all of the animals on the premises and removed them for veterinary examination.
“Lass, one of the deerhounds, was found to have pressure sores and a fracture in her leg that the vet estimated would have been present for around three to four weeks. The break had been left untreated for so long that she had to have her leg amputated.
“Boy, another deerhound, only had three legs and was suffering from a displaced toe. Not only would this have caused him pain but the extra stress on them due to his missing leg would have been more than a normal limb usually supports.
“Gibbs, a pug, was suffering from a severe bacterial skin infection. Pinky, another pug, had an extremely infected and swollen toe.
“Tara, a Staffordshire bull terrier, and Buffy, a lurcher, were found to have arthritis, an extremely painful condition when left untreated.
“All of the dogs were suffering from dental disease to some extent.
“We are pleased that both brothers have received bans on keeping animals.”
Sentencing |
Grant Campbell: two year supervision order and six month restriction of liberty order.Banned from keeping any animal indefinitely.
David Campbell: community payback order of 300 hours to be completed over three years. Banned from keeping any animal for five years (expires July 2028).
CONVICTED (2023) | Leslie Shooter, born c. 1966, of Constable Road, Hunmanby, Filey YO14 0LH – inflicted horrific injuries on a barn owl.
The barn owl suffered fatal injuries when it became caught in a rat trap set by Les Shooter.
On April 8, 2023, a dog walker discovered the badly-injured adult barn owl caught in a spring-operated trap in the allotments at Sands Lane, Hunmanby.
The bird was rescued and taken to a vet, but due to the severity of the injuries to its legs it had to be euthanised.
When spoken to by North Yorkshire Police, the tenant of the plot, Leslie Shooter, stated that he had set a number of traps to control rats. However, he had not covered the traps as required by law, resulting in the trapping of the bird.
In court, Shooter pleaded guilty to using an animal trap in circumstances for which it is not approved, causing a trap to be set to cause injury to a wild bird and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Sentencing | 100 hours of unpaid work requirement; £199 in costs and surcharges.
Spring-operated traps, often referred to as ‘Fenn’ traps, can be legally operated in the UK, but their use and target species is strictly controlled by legislation. Potential offences include use whilst uncovered, neglect in checking and use to capture wild birds.
CONVICTED (2023) | June Kershaw, born c. 1945, of Harbour Lodge Farm, Haworth Moor, Haworth, Keighley BD22 9RQ – killed two of her neighbour’s cats using snares.
June Kershaw was fined after two pet cats died in snare traps on her moorland farm.
Kershaw was convicted under the Animal Welfare Act of using snares in an improper manner and knowing that they could have caused unnecessary suffering.
She was prosecuted by the RSPCA in relation to Bengal/Savannah cat Marley and tabby Frankie, who were killed by snaring devices in April and July 2021. Both cats belonged to her neighbour, Richard Russell, with whom she didn’t get on.
Kershaw told the court the three snares, which she said she checked every day, had been in the same positions every spring for the last 14/15 years and had only ever caught rabbits attempting to steal growing vegetables from her garden.
Kershaw’s neighbour finds his cat, Frankie, dead in a snare set on a fence line.
Marley’s body was found by Kershaw on April 26, 2021. She told the court she spotted the animal on the branch of a tree while she was hanging her washing out that afternoon and removed the snare.
In court, she said: “I glanced over thinking it was a fox, I was horrified to see it was a cat.
“I could have put it in a bin bag and put it in the bin but I never thought of that.”
Kershaw told the court she was too frightened of her neighbour to tell him or throw the animal over his fence, instead thinking he had a tracker on the cat.
Police attended Kershaw’s house on May 22, 2021, to view CCTV footage of the cat dangling from the tree.
When an RSPCA officer asked Kershaw about the incident, she replied by saying “It is only a cat”.
The second cat, Frankie, was found in a snare on July 28, 2021.
Prosecuting, Charlotte Kenny highlighted that one of her neighbour’s cats died in a mint trap on Kershaw’s land in April 2019.
She said: “That should have put her on notice. Despite that, she continued to set the snares.”
Kershaw and her defence insisted that she did not know her neighbour owned cats, something the magistrates refused to accept.
Following the verdict, Luke Steele, Executive Director of Wild Moors, said: “We cannot continue to ignore the suffering that snares inflict on our wildlife and the risk they pose to pets which may become entangled in them.
“It’s time for landowners to take responsibility and prohibit their use, and for governments to ban snares altogether.”
An RSPCA spokesperson said the charity is “opposed to the manufacture, sale and use of all snares – which are sadly legal to catch certain wild animals such as foxes and rabbits – and any trap which causes suffering. Snares can’t distinguish between animals and it’s thought many victims are not the intended species.”
Sentencing | ordered to pay £300 per charge, plus prosecution costs of £1,300 and £34 victim surcharge.
