RSPCA South Australia is seeking public help to identify the person who set an illegal steel-jaw trap in Semaphore Park after a cat was found trapped in it late yesterday.

A resident called RSPCA after finding the animal on a neighbour’s property with the trap clamped on one of its front paws. An RSPCA rescue officer caught the cat and immediately transported him to a veterinary clinic.

The animal was hissing and highly distressed. It is unknown how long he had been suffering in extreme pain. RSPCA SA’s chief veterinarian Gayle Kothari said it is too early to say whether the cat’s paw can be saved.

“Xrays show the paw isn’t broken but it is very swollen,” Ms Kothari said.

“We have him on IV fluids and pain relief and we will reassess him in the morning.”

The undesexed male cat is about a year old and is not microchipped. His friendly nature indicates he is someone’s pet. RSPCA SA is asking anyone who believes they own the cat or who recognises him to call the organisation’s 24-hour cruelty report hotline.

The setting of steel-jaw traps is an illegal act in every Australian state. Despite this, RSPCA continues to receive up to ten calls a year to animals trapped in them. RSPCA SA’s Head of Animal Welfare Andrea Lewis said there had been enough publicity about these cases for people to be aware that it is illegal to set the traps.

“These traps cause appalling injuries and suffering, with animals often having to be euthanased or to have limbs amputated,” Ms Lewis said.

“In the last 12 months we have had an echidna, a possum, cats and birds with limbs clamped between the serrated metal jaws of traps, and a case prosecuted in March in which a Pomeranian dog got caught in a trap.

“That trap had been set by a neighbour of this dog’s owner to catch rabbits on his property, and he told the court he was unaware the traps were illegal.

“Fortunately, the dog recovered and the magistrate opted not to record a conviction due to the offender’s lack of previous criminal record and ignorance of the law, but we want our community to know we will pursue offenders and – where we have sufficient evidence – we will prosecute.

“There are likely to be animals getting trapped that are never found and they would be dying in agony.

“We urge people to get rid of these barbaric devices – they have no place in a civilised society.”

RSPCA SA is encouraging people to relinquish traps during opening hours at the organisation’s Stepney head office or at any of the three shelters. They will be turned into scrap metal, with all funds raised going towards the care of animals at RSPCA shelters.

Traps can be dropped to RSPCA SA at:

• Stepney – 16 Nelson Street (Open 10am to 4pm weekdays)
• Lonsdale – 25 Meyer Rd (Open 10am to 4pm Wed-Fri, 10am to 3pm on weekends)
• Port Lincoln – 22 Windsor Ave (Open 10am to 12.30pm weekdays)
• Whyalla – 7 Cook Street (Open 12pm to 4pm weekdays, 10am to 12pm on weekends)

Anyone caught setting a steel-jaw trap faces immediate fines and a maximum penalty of $2,500. If an animal is caught in the trap, they could face charges for intentionally causing harm to an animal under SA’s Animal Welfare Act, which has maximum penalties of $20,000 or imprisonment for 2 years.

 Anyone with information that may help identify the person responsible for setting this trap, or information on this cat’s ownership, is urged to contact RSPCA on: 1300 4 777 22

 

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