Loved pets falling victim to ‘alarming’ use of steel-jaw traps in Adelaide suburbs

September 21, 2018

Another cat has suffered injuries in a steel-jaw trap, the second such incident in less than three months, prompting RSPCA South Australia to remind the community that use of the cruel devices is illegal.

Valley View resident Katie Lowe found the cat, a two year old male ginger tabby, under her car parked in the carport.

“I was on my way to work when I heard this poor animal whimpering, and when I looked underneath there it was with this trap still attached to a front paw,” Ms Lowe said.

Despite its injury, the cat “bolted” across the road, eventually ending up in the yard of an apartment block. A neighbour helped Ms Lowe to corner the stricken animal, and put it into a cat carrier.

Attempts to release the cat’s paw from the trap resulted in the terrified animal biting Ms Lowe.

“I had no choice but to leave the trap on and just got the cat to a vet as quickly as I could,” Ms Lowe said, adding that she also sought medical treatment of her injury.

After administering pain relief, a vet at the Greencross Vets in Para Vista was able to open the trap’s jaws and treat the injured paw.

An RSPCA Rescue Officer took the cat into care and despite the absence of any identifying information, including a microchip, RSPCA staff were soon able to contact the owner via information provided by neighbours. The cat, called “Fluffy Tail”, is now home with his owner awaiting another trip to the vet for xrays of the injured paw, believed to be broken.

So far this year RSPCA South Australia Inspectors and Rescue Officers have attended more than ten incidents of animals (mainly cats, but also some foxes) caught in steel-jaw traps. These older style traps have traditionally been used on rural properties to catch rabbits.

Some of the incidents this year have resulted in animals having to have limbs amputated. Other animals have been so severely injured they have had to be euthanised.

Reports received by RSPCA of animals caught in traps this year have come from suburbs right across Adelaide, including College Park, Paradise, Joslin, Semaphore Park and Huntfield Heights.

RSPCA South Australia Inspector Cheryl Doudle said it was “alarming” that so many people still seem unaware the use of steel-jaw traps is illegal in South Australia. Those caught setting them risk fines of up to $50,000 or four years in jail, with one suspected offender due to go to court later this year.

“These traps cause horrific injuries and suffering to animals and there is no excuse for their use and especially not in suburban Adelaide, where the likelihood of someone’s pet – or even a child – being injured is high,” Inspector Doudle said.

“It is irrelevant whether the intention is to trap a cat, or another animal.

“The very act of setting one of these traps and leaving it out in the open – for any purpose – is illegal and if we have sufficient evidence we will prosecute.

“However, we would much prefer it if people just stopped using them.

“Our fear is that there could easily be other animals out there that have been caught in these cruel devices, and never found.”

Anyone finding a trapped animal should safely contain the animal and either transport it to the nearest vet (who can safely remove the trap), or contact RSPCA on the number below for assistance.

Anyone with information in regards to the Valley View incident – or anyone who witnesses someone setting a trap – is asked to contact RSPCA South Australia’s Cruelty Report Hotline on 1300 4 777 22.

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