THE RSPCA have issued an urgent appeal to the general public to stop the usage of glue traps to try and capture rodents – after a cat stuck in FOUR of them needed to be put down.
The black and white cat, named Miles by staff at the animal welfare charity, was found trapped by a sticky glue trap in an alleyway in Cricklewood Lane, north London.
Miles was found stuck to four glue traps in an alleyway in north London and rescued by the RSPCA
Credit: PA:Press Association
His hind legs were stuck together and parts of his fur were ripped out by the trap
Credit: PA:Press Association
The RSPCA found Miles stuck on a total of four glue traps, located on his legs and underneath his body.
Glue traps are sheets of cardboard, plastic, or wood, coated in an extremely strong non-drying adhesive and are traditionally used to trap mice and rats.
Animals become stuck to the surface and unable to escape, become more submerged in the glue as they try to struggle free.
Miles had a large infected wound on his leg, a damaged tail, and his hind legs stuck together by the agonising trap – that even ripped out chunks of his fur.
It is also thought he may have ingested some of the glue while attempting to free himself.
RSPCA Inspector Nicole Broster said, “This poor cat was in an extreme amount of pain from his horrific injuries and he was very scared and frightened.
“This is the worst glue trap incident I have ever seen and dealt with.”
The cat was taken to the RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital to remove the traps and receive treatment, but after his condition deteriorated rapidly he was put to sleep.
“UNACCEPTABLE SUFFERING”
Broster continued: “I find the use of glue traps horrendous and completely unnecessary.
“People sometimes use them to deal with problems caused by animals like rats and mice but they are cruel and cause awful suffering.
“Other animals and non-target species also become victims – in this case poor Miles.”
The use of glue traps as a method of pest control is currently legal in the UK.
However, if an animal suffers unnecessarily due to poor use or through failing to release or kill the animal, an offence may have been committed.
The RSPCA is calling for an end to glue traps, urging anyone who sees them on sale to the public to contact them so they can ask the retailer to withdraw the stock.
If they must be used, it should only be done by trained professionals, the charity said.
Evie Button, scientific officer for the RSPCA, said the traps cause “unacceptable suffering” to animals that end up caught in them.
“We’re opposed to the manufacture, sale and use of all glue traps because they cause unacceptable suffering and are totally indiscriminate in what they catch, ensnaring wild animals like birds and even pets,” she said.
“Glue traps may seem like an effective way to catch rodents without killing them, but they come with very serious welfare issues and subject those animals unfortunate enough to get caught to horrific suffering.
