Illegal homemade wire snares found around perimeter of Dundee's Braeview Academy school

Illegal snares which could cause “massive damage” to animals have been found around the perimeter of a school in Dundee.

The five wire snares were discovered around the fence of Braeview Academy on Berwick Drive at around 9pm on September 2 by a member of the public.

No animals were trapped in them however the Scottish SPCA said that the snares, which do not adhere to restrictions, could have done significant harm to any animal that became caught in them.

A Scottish SPCA special investigations unit inspector, who cannot be named due to undercover operations, said: “Although the Scottish SPCA are calling for a complete ban on the use of snares, they are still legal to catch certain wildlife if restrictions are adhered to.

The five wire snares were discovered around the fence of Braeview Academy on Berwick Drive at around 9pm on September 2 by a member of the public. SSPCA

“This was not the case with these homemade snares. The snares did not have a ‘stop’, a mechanism that prevents the device from tightening after a certain point.

“They were made with very thin wire, which would do massive damage to any animal unlucky enough to become caught in it.

“Snares are also legally required to have an identification tag but this was also absent.

“Snares do not discriminate and can cause both wildlife and domestic animals a great amount of unnecessary suffering.

“It is illegal for anyone to tamper with a legally set snare or trap so we would ask the public not to attempt this. If someone suspects a device is set illegally then they should contact us immediately.”

Anyone who has any information about the incident can call the Scottish SPCA’s animal helpline in confidence on 03000 999 999.

The Scottish Government announced in August that it plans to seek the public’s views on whether an outright ban on snares should be put in place.