Gamekeeper fined for 'error of judgement' which left fox distressed and foaming at the mouth
'It was clear that the fox was experiencing both mental and physical distress'
A court in the Scottish Borders has heard a fox was found distressed and foaming at the mouth after being suspended by its neck on a broken fence line.
Thomas Ebner, from Reston, Berwickshire, pled guilty to setting a snare that could cause unnecessary suffering to any animal that came into contact with it.
The 74-year-old was employed as a gamekeeper on land belonging to Old Castles Farm in Chirnside, at the time of the offence in April 2023.
Two work men passing the field were able to free the fox from the blood-stained fence post using wire cutters before reporting the matter to police.
At Selkirk Sheriff Court today (Monday), the pensioner was fined £1,250 and ordered to pay a £75 surcharge.
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Passing sentence, Sheriff Peter Paterson said: “This is a breach of the 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 Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) 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".
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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."
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