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Authorities warn of dangers after pet cat mangled in illegal metal trap near homes
Written by JACQUIE SCHWIND.
A PET cat’s suffering and subsequent euthanasia, after being caught in an illegal steel jawed leg hold trap for possibly up to eight days in Wangaratta, has authorities on alert.
The cat was last seen by its Templeton Street owner on October 26.
She walked the Templeton Street boat ramp area three times in search of the cat, who had been part of the family for eight years, but there was no sign of him.
On November 3, he was found barely alive in a trap, and taken to the RSPCA Animal Shelter.
He was traced through his microchipping, the family was notified and he was put down by a veterinarian, due to the extent of his injuries.
Rural City of Wangaratta senior enforcement officer, Peter Love, said the cat was found imprisoned, stressed and injured in the trap under trees in the Templeton Street boat ramp area.
"Its leg was all mangled and broken," Mr Love said.
"It’s not something you come across every day.
"I’ve been doing it (this job) for five years and it’s the second time I’ve come across a cat in a trap.
"I don’t know whether the trap was set on purpose to catch something or if it was one lying around which had been there for a long time."
Mr Love said the trap hadn’t been pegged so it was a possibility it could have originally been located somewhere else and dragged by the cat.
Both he and RSPCA inspector, Guy Gorman, stressed use of such traps was largely illegal.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act specifies it is illegal on crown land, on urban land not predominantly used for agriculture and on any other land unless in accordance with a code of practice.
"It’s just totally unacceptable in a town environment," Mr Gorman said.
"The penalty for illegal use of these traps can be as high as $12,000 or imprisonment for 12 months."
Mr Gorman said animals, struggling to free themselves from the traps, suffered exhaustion and injuries which could be severe.
"They crush bones, tear muscles and rip flesh."
He said the traps were not selective in what they caught with possible victims ranging from pet dogs and cats to native wildlife.
Mr Gorman warned the traps could also snare people.
"It’s not only animals, it could be a small child wandering along."
Anyone wishing to report illegal trap use can contact Mr Gorman on 57224730.
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