Robins caught in banned glue trap die ‘horrific’ deaths

Two robins have been euthanised by an animal charity after being caught in a banned glue trap in Edinburgh city centre.

The birds suffered serious injuries when their bodies and legs became stuck in a tape-covered tray left in Grassmarket last month.

Scottish MPs voted in March to ban the traps, which are commonly used to catch pests, but the new laws have yet to come into force.

The Scottish SPCA, which culled the birds, said it was an “inhumane method of pest control that has no place in modern society”.

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The charity’s special investigations inspector said the robins died a “horrific” death.

Baby mice and bats have also been euthanized after getting stuck in traps since the law was passed.

Four baby mice were found “screaming” in pain after being stuck in a glue trap in Glasgow, while a bat was euthanised after being stuck in a trap in Aberdeenshire last weekend.

The Scottish SPCA described the traps as inhumane and warned that animals risked death from dehydration, starvation or exposure if caught in error.

The SSPCA said: “These traps are indiscriminate and will cause unnecessary suffering to any bird or animal caught in them.

“Those who set the traps are obliged to end unnecessary suffering by regularly checking them, but there is no way to monitor or enforce this obligation.

“Many of these traps are placed in the wrong location, which means birds and other animals can be trapped.”

The Wildlife and Muirburn Management (Scotland) Bill was passed in the Scottish Parliament in March.

It prohibits the purchase and use of wire traps and glue traps, although those specifically designed to catch moths or flies are still permitted.

Although other parts of the law have come into effect, the ban on glue traps has yet to be enacted.

This is partly because the UK government failed to grant an exception to the Internal Market Act, which would allow Scotland to ban their sale.

The Scottish government said it was waiting for an update from the UK government before the ban could be implemented.

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said discussions between the Scottish and UK governments on approving the exemption had not yet taken place.

In England, a law came into force on July 31, making it illegal to use traps to capture rodents without a permit.