An investigation has been launched after a beloved family pet cat was killed after becoming caught in a snare in Leicester.
Tigger, a male ragdoll cross, was discovered by his heartbroken family lying in a neighbour’s garden in Ivychurch Crescent on April 11.
He had died as a result of a free-running snare which had pulled around his neck.
His heartbroken owner Zoe Roberts, said: “We have had Tigger since he was eight weeks old and he had his seventh birthday at the end of January. We are all just heartbroken and my three children are devastated at losing him and it has been so hard to explain to them how he died as a result of this and it has brought a deeper level of trauma to us all, as who could be so cruel?.”
RSPCA Inspector Karl Marston is investigating the incident and said: “I do not believe that Tigger died in the garden he was found in – which is why I am appealing for information to anyone who might know what happened to him. My heart goes out to his family who have been left devastated by what has happened.
““Although a ‘free-running’ snare can be used legally to trap certain species of wild mammals, if it becomes locked, either through design, poor maintenance or via improper positioning, it can kill.
“There are strict legal conditions on setting certain types of traps and if they are not set in the right way non-target animals, like poor Tigger. If this happens the person setting the trap could potentially be committing an offence.
“We would urge anyone who has any information regarding this to please contact me on our RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”
The RSPCA is against the use of snares because of the suffering they cause, not only to animals like foxes that are often the target of such traps, but also to other animals like badgers and even domestic animals like cats. Snares cannot discriminate between species and any animal that moves through the noose is a potential victim.
Offering advice about animals who are caught in a snare, a spokesman said: “Never try to free an animal from a snare or trap – you risk hurting yourself and the animal, and it could be an offence if the animal was legally caught. Also, many animals caught by snares are more seriously injured than you think, so it is best that they are examined properly to see if they need treatment.”
