‘Barbaric’, illegal gin trap snares family pet
A cat caught in an illegal gin trap is recovering from horrific injuries to its leg.
Grey Pants, a three-year-old Bengal leopard cat, is believed to have stepped into the trap while exploring countryside near his Mentmore Road, Linslade, home.
The spring-loaded trap’s iron jaws crushed the cat’s foot and the contraption was still attached to the right leg when Grey Pants crawled home after being missing for almost two days.
Fortunately, no bones were broken and Grey Pants responded well to antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs and did not lose his limb. He is receiving ongoing treatment at the Heath and Reach Veterinary Surgery.
Owner Shirley North, 58, said: “When he came home he was covered in sand so I think the trap must have been either in the nearby sand pit or the Waterside country park.
“We were extremely worried and are concerned for other animals and children who play in the park.
“It’s barbaric and I’m appalled that anyone could do something like this to a living creature.”
RSPCA inspector Claire Gordon is investigating the incident.
She said: “This cat was very lucky as gin trap injuries to cats often result in the loss of limbs.
“Gin traps are illegal and if you set them you are breaking the law, whether they catch anything or not.”
Anyone found guilty of setting a gin trap that causes unnecessary suffering to an animal faces a maximum £20,000 fine and/or six months in prison.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 1234999.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer
