Aberdeenshire cat owner welcomes snare ban after cat seriously injured
Harry was caught in a snare for five days near his home in St. Cyrus.
WARNING: This article contains graphic images
An Aberdeenshire cat owner is welcoming Scotland's ban on snares after her pet suffered horrific injuries from being trapped in a snare for five days.
Harry the ginger-and-white moggy had been missing from his home in St Cyrus for five days.
Marion Brownlie described it as "something from a nightmare" when she discovered her pet in a field with injuries so horrific she believed he had been "cut in half".
Marion said: “Harry had been missing for five days when we found him collapsed in a field and it was like something from a nightmare – I was afraid to pick him up as it looked as though he’d been cut in two. He must have been in agony, but somehow he was still alive and after lots of veterinary treatment and rest he pulled through.
It is thought Harry may have been trapped in the snare for five agonising days before he was able to drag himself to safety.
Having confirmed his injuries were caused by a snare, vets carried out surgery to repair a deep wound running from hip to hip across his abdomen.
He was later able to return home but needs to be confined to a cage for rest during his recovery.
The ban was introduced to the Scottish Parliament earlier this year as part of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 and comes into effect today (November 25).
Campaigners are hailing it as a "landmark day for animal welfare".
Marion continued: “No animal deserves the pain and suffering that these inhumane devices inflict, and I’m incredibly relieved that they have finally been banned.”
Alice Palombo, Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Scotland at Cats Protection, said: “We’ve campaigned for this ban for many years, after seeing too many cats suffering agonising injuries and deaths from being caught in snares. It’s a landmark for animal welfare in Scotland, and will put an end to the cruel and horrific pain that snares inflict on pets and wildlife.
“Snares are indiscriminate – they will capture and maim any animal unfortunate enough to come into their path. Once trapped, animals – which may be pets or wildlife – often suffer long, painful deaths. The few which manage to escape or are found are likely to be left needing amputation of limbs and life-changing injuries.
“This ban sends a message that cruel and inhumane practices no longer have a place in our society, and we will continue to campaign for snares to be banned across the UK following Scotland’s example.”