Animal welfare charity OneKind, conservation charity Scottish Badgers and 11 MSPs gathered outside the Scottish Parliament to celebrate Scotland’s snaring ban that comes into force today (25th November). 

The charity and supportive MSPs posed beside a sign that read ‘Welcome to Scotland, a snare free country’. The sign, modelled on the ‘Welcome to Scotland’ sign at the Scottish border on the A1, is an ode to a 2010 campaign stunt the charity undertook to push for a snaring ban. 

The following MSPs attended the photo stunt: Lorna Slater, Ariane Burgess, Maggie Chapman, Mark Ruskell, Karen Adam, Ben Macpherson. Stuart McMillan, Kenneth Gibson, Colin Smyth, Carol Mochan and John Mason.

Snares are wire noose traps that were set to trap animals by the neck, although capture by the abdomen or leg is also common. They inflict considerable physical and mental suffering onto the trapped animal.  Although they are set for specific species, snares are indiscriminate and over the years we've had reports of farmed animals, companion animals such as dogs and cats, and non-target wild animals suffering in these devices. 

OneKind Director, Bob Elliot, said: 

“Today is a historic day for Scotland. After decades of campaigning for a ban, we are thrilled that from today the use of snares is now illegal.  

“For far too long, animals have endured suffering in these cruel and outdated traps. We extend our gratitude to the Scottish Government for taking action to end this cruelty. 

“We’re delighted that Scotland now joins the vast majority of European countries that have consigned snares to the history books.” 

On the photo stunt itself, Bob said: 

“Fourteen years ago, we stood in this very same spot, with a very similar sign, to encourage the Scottish Government and public to envision a snare-free Scotland. Today, we’re thrilled that this is no longer a vision, but a reality.” 

Notes to Editor

1. OneKind is a leading animal campaigns charity working to end cruelty to Scotland’s animals. Find out more about our work at www.onekind.org.
2. See some of our campaign highlights throughout the years here.