Animal welfare groups pledge to carry on fight to have wire traps made illegal in Scotland

Government’s snare decision branded ‘a mockery of democracy’

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Scottish ministers were last night accused of making a “mockery of democracy” by refusing to listen to public opinion and ban the use of snares

Animal rights activists are furious that they are refusing to change the law despite the fact that 7,182 out of 7,192 people who have lobbied the Scottish Government on the issue since last May have called for it.

Snares are commonly used by gamekeepers on estates across the north of Scotland to catch foxes. They are thin wire nooses that silently garrote the animals.

It is difficult to control what kind of animals are caught in snares and it is not uncommon for cats and dogs to become trapped.

Campaigners say a freedom of information request has revealed that, in advance of Environment Minister Mike Russell’s recent announcement that he intends to allow snaring to continue, the government was working closely behind the scenes with organisations wanting snaring to continue.

League Against Cruel Sports spokeswoman Louise Robertson, said last night: “It is absolutely staggering that the will of so many people was clearly ignored in the government’s decision to allow snaring to continue. It makes a complete mockery of democracy.”

Advocates for Animals political director Libby Anderson added: “We have seen an official consultation ignored and now we see the extent to which personal messages to the minister were also ignored.

“These latest figures demonstrate yet again that there is overwhelming public support for a ban on snaring, and our campaign will continue until these cruel and indiscriminate traps are made illegal in Scotland.”

Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart, who released the information, said the government has shown a “total lack of regard” for the feelings of Scots.

Mr Russell said he did not think an outright ban was the best option for Scotland as they are an essential tool for land management and pest and predator control.

He admitted, however, that more had to be done to eliminate bad practice.