A warning has been issued over a common garden item which kills robins that’s still being sold in the UK.
The RSPCA has sounded the alarm after the ‘heartbreaking’ death of a robin caught on a glue trap reported by the BBC this week.
The use of glue traps is now banned in England without a licence, but they are still freely being sold.
The RSPCA said its centre had also dealt with endangered hedgehogs becoming stuck on the inhumane traps.
Speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk, centre manager Evangelos Achilleos said: “Part of the challenge is that they’re so freely available.
“It seems like a grey area – it is illegal for the public to be using them.
“You do need to have a licence, but from a welfare perspective these shouldn’t be used at all.
“Please remove these from your shelves to educate people to instigate change – the only way we can achieve anything is if we all work collaboratively together.”
In a release about glue traps, the RSPCA says: “When animals cross the board they become stuck by their feet. Unable to free themselves, other parts of their body then become stuck, further entrapping them. In attempting to get free they may rip out patches of fur, break bones and even gnaw through their own limbs to escape.
“After three to five hours, animals have been reported as covered in their own faeces and urine.
“However, trapped animals may be left for much longer periods than that, during which time they will experience pain, distress and unacceptable suffering. If trapped animals are left unattended they will die slowly from dehydration, starvation or exhaustion.”
The RSPCA adds: “If you have seen glue traps being sold, please forward the following information to wildlife@rspca.org.uk
“To report live animals caught in glue traps, please contact the RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty and advice helpline on 0300 1234 999.”
