RSPCA Victoria is issuing an urgent reminder to the community after several recent incidents where pet cats have tragically been caught in illegal leg hold traps, advising that these traps must not be set, regardless of the type of animal people are aiming to capture.
Illegal animal traps are specifically designed to cause severe damage, with common injuries including ligament and nerve damage, as well as bone fractures.
RSPCA Victoria Inspectorate Team Leader Belinda Dent said the traps are inhumane and cause extreme pain and suffering for any animal caught in one.
"Too many times we have seen beloved family pets suffer excruciating pain and distress, and it is not uncommon for these injuries to necessitate amputation of an entire limb," Ms Dent said.
"These serrated steel traps are illegal to use, set and sell, unless they are a permitted trap as prescribed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019.
"Many people are not aware that it's not just using the trap that is illegal, the act of selling these traps is also prohibited by law. You may come across these traps during a clean out of a shed or property and think selling them is harmless, but they cause real damage to domestic animals in our community and as a seller, you are liable," she explained.
Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTAA), anyone found guilty of using, setting or selling these traps is liable for a maximum penalty of $43,617.60 or up to two years' imprisonment.
RSPCA Victoria is urging anyone with steel jaw traps in their possession to dismantle them as much as possible to render them inoperable, and then make arrangements to dispose of them.
Anyone who has concerns about the welfare of an animal or has information relating to traps being placed is encouraged to make a report to RSPCA Victoria's Inspectorate via rspcavic.org/report or by calling 9224 2222.
