Missing cat caught in a snare
25.05.10
A cat who had been missing for three days has been found trapped in a snare, in a tree, near his home.
This male black cat named Shadow, managed to climb up a tree near his home in Auckley, near Doncaster whilst trapped in a snare. The snare became entangled in the tree leaving poor Shadow stranded.
Fortunately, the owners of the property on Sycamore Drive came home from work and heard him crying. Jean Wilkins, who found him, said:
I heard what I thought was a cat and followed the sound to the pear tree. The poor thing was stuck fast and when my husband tried to get him down he just lashed out. That’s when we rang the RSPCA for help.
Free-running snare
The trap was what’s called a ‘free-running snare’ and is legal if used correctly, however, it shouldn’t ever be able to trap anything other than its target species.
The trap had cut off the circulation to Shadow’s back-end but once he was free of it the movement started to come back and, luckily, he’s made a full recovery.
Our Inspector Carol Neale, who attended to free Shadow, said: “Snares can cause long and painful deaths and terrible injuries to animals caught in them, and cats often fall victim to them,
“Anyone using a snare must ensure they do so legally. Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal in this way could see them brought before the courts.”
Happy ending
Shadow was re-united with his owner after another neighbour recognised him. Owner, Becky Govan, of nearby Hazel Avenue said:
We couldn’t believe it when we were told what had happened. Shadow had been missing for three days and we’d started to fear the worst. We’re so grateful to the people who found him and the inspector who rescued him.
Continued support
Without your continuing support we would not be able to help animals like Shadow.
Thank you.
