These horrific images show the awful impacts a glue trap can have on animals as the method gets banned in England.
A new law has been passed to ban the use of glue traps across the nation today, 31 July.
These traps are traditionally used to catch rodents, however, other animals have also fallen victim to the method.
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The sheets of plastic, cardboard or wood are coated with non-drying adhesive to trap animals who are unable to free themselves.
In the images, you can see Basil, the ginger tabby cat, an unfortunate animal who was caught in a glue trap.
The glue has covered a large portion of the cat’s fur causing intense pain and suffering.
These distressing images show just how important it was to get this law passed in England, following the ban on the traps in Wales last year.
The Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 comes into full effect today, with the aim of making England a safer place for animals.
Members of the public and the RSPCA have been campaigning for this change for years, as reported by Need To Know.
The animal welfare charity believes that the traps risk causing animals pain, distress and severe suffering.
The new ban will prevent the public from using the traps, but pest control workers are still able to use them.
Rebecca Machin, RSPCA scientific officer, said: “Glue traps are vicious and indiscriminate, so we warmly welcome this ban which will help make England a safer place for animals.
“Though designed to catch rodents, we also see non-target animals – from birds to cats – getting stuck on the powerful glue and as they struggle to free themselves, they often suffer terrible injuries and die.
“But all animals should be treated with kindness and respect, and there are other, more humane methods available such as humane deterrence.
“RSPCA officers are repeatedly left shocked and horrified by the lethal damage wrought on wildlife, pets and other animals by these awful traps.
“In just the past month, we’ve had reports of a magpie, and some squirrels being caught – highlighting why we need this ban.
“The glue trap legislation is a really positive step in the right direction, though we will continue to campaign until these devices are completely stamped out with a blanket ban on use not only for the general public but for contractors too.
“We hope the new UK Government will now build on this positive step with further policies to help animals.”
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