The RSPCA says it’s ‘extremely concerned’ by way of the system in a residential space.
The charity was made conscious of the incident after the cat – a feminine – was discovered within the backyard of a home in Argyle Street, Boston, on Tuesday, February 13, with a gin lure clamped round considered one of her again legs.
Gin traps have spring-operated jaws with tooth or a serrated edge that snap shut.
The RSPCA stated the distraught home-owner, who didn’t personal the cat, rushed her to a close-by vet for pressing therapy, however sadly the lure had brought on such in depth injury to the cat, shattering her leg, that the unbiased vet suggested the kindest factor to do was to place her to sleep.
It is unknown why the lure was set, the charity added.
RSPCA inspector Laura Jones, who’s investigating the incident, stated: “The injuries this poor cat sustained by this barbaric illegal gin trap were just horrific and she must have been in so much pain.
“She managed to get into the garden of the homeowner with this trap attached to her leg, and the worried member of the public rushed her straight to a nearby vet.
“Sadly the injuries she sustained were just too devastating and the independent vet made the decision to put her to sleep to prevent her suffering further.
“We do not know who owns the cat as she was not microchipped. She was a young adult female grey tabby cat.
“She had been visiting the homeowner’s garden in recent weeks and they had kindly given her food as they thought she was a stray. She managed to get back into the garden where thankfully she was quickly found and the devastated homeowner rushed her to the vet.
“Gin traps are illegal and anyone found using them could face prosecution and I am investigating this and would urge anyone with information to call me on the RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”
Gin traps have been unlawful to make use of within the UK since 1958, though some are nonetheless being set to catch animals equivalent to rabbits and foxes. The mechanical gadgets are designed to catch an animal by its leg.
Evie Button, from the RSPCA’s wildlife division, stated: “Gin traps are cruel and barbaric and anyone setting one faces prosecution. They cause horrific injuries as they usually ensnare the whole leg of an animal.
“They are totally indiscriminate in nature – victims can be wildlife or family pets but whatever the animal, these devices cause a great deal of suffering. We are extremely concerned that someone has set one in a residential area where people often walk their dogs and where there are likely to be cats.”
