Tuesday 31 July 2012
The Police and Environment Department are asking for public assistance in preventing the use of illegal rabbit snares.
Rabbit snares were recently recovered by the Police from common land at Chouet, following a report from a member of the public who had seen a man setting them. The four snares were of thin coiled wire attached to a short wooden stake.
A spokesperson for the Police said:
"It was fortunate that a member of the public was able to give the Police information to enable the snares to be retrieved quickly and our investigations continue. It is illegal to set, or to be in possession of any snares in Guernsey and we would ask the public to contact us if they witness anyone setting snares or rabbit traps anywhere on the island."
A spokesperson for the Environment Department said:
"The Department was very disturbed to learn that snares had been set on the common land at Chouet. The island's coastal grass lands are heavily used by people walking dogs and rabbit snares can cause significant distress and injury to both domestic animals and wildlife. Setting snares is highly irresponsible in areas used by the public and is to be deplored."
Further Information
Under The Pests (Control of Destruction) Ordinance, 1965 and The Pests (Control of Destruction) (Amendment) Ordinance, 1982, it is an offence for any person to:
● use, sell or permit the use of any snare for the purpose of killing or taking animals;
● use, sell or permit the use of any spring trap other than an approved trap for the purpose of killing or taking animals;
● have in their possession any snare or spring trap (other than approved spring traps).
A first offence carries a fine of up to £1,000 under the Uniform Scale of Fines. If previously convicted of such an offence a fine not exceeding £2,000 is applicable.
Contact Information:
Environmental Services Unit
Environment Department
Tel: 01481 717 200
