Commentary on Sections Section 10 - Snares
Snares are an important means of controlling ‘pest species’ in the countryside but they need to be used with care to avoid unnecessary suffering. This Section aims to strengthen controls over their use. The use of self locking snares, which by their nature do cause suffering, is outlawed, as is the possession of this type of snare, unless there is a reasonable excuse.
It will be an offence for anyone to set or otherwise use any other form of snare that is calculated to cause unnecessary suffering to any wild animal.
Anyone who sets a snare will be required to have it inspected at least once every day and release or remove any animal found caught during the inspection. Failure to fufill either requirement will be an offence.
Any person who, without reasonable excuse, is in possession of or sets a snare on anyone else’s land without their authorisation, will be committing an offence.
The Department will have a power to introduce, by way of an Order, certain requirements as the Department may consider appropriate upon anyone who uses a snare and it will be an offence not to comply with such requirements.