Claw Traps Found Set In Altona Laverton

[LisaCC]

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/illegal-steel-claw-animal-traps-found-near-altona-laverton-bike-path-20160126-gme67a.html

Here's the link. I'm on my phone, if someone else could copy the full article that'd be great!

[Scottsmum]

Illegal steel animal traps have been found near a popular bike path in Melbourne's south-west, after a woman stumbled across one of the rusty contraptions while walking her dog.

The woman, who asked to be known as Emily, said she was on the bike path near Merton Street at Altona Meadows about 4pm last Thursday.

She was shocked to find the claw trap set in the grass.

And shut: Five more claw traps have been found in the same area.

And shut: Five more claw traps have been found in the same area. Photo: Supplied

"My dog actually sniffed it out. It was behind the Laverton Football Club. There's a creek there and then the bike path on the other side, and that's where it was," she said.

"I had to yank my dog away when I realised what it was.

"I poked it with a stick to close it, because I know that they can do some serious damage.

"[i'm] thankful my dog didn't get caught."

Emily said she reported her discovery to the local council and the RSPCA and hoped to warn other residents in the area of the traps.

Inspectors from the RSPCA later found another five traps in the area.

The steel jaw traps are illegal in Victoria, an RSCPA spokeswoman said.

"We're extremely distressed that some members of the community are still setting these traps with the clear intention of trapping and inflicting pain and suffering on an animal," the spokeswoman said.

"The setting of these inhumane devices is against the law and can carry huge fines and possible animal cruelty convictions.

"It is illegal under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to set a steel jaw trap due to the potential they have to cause extreme injury, pain and suffering to animals."

A person can be charged with a cruelty offence for setting a trap, even if it hasn't injured an animal.

Offenders can face up to 24 months in prison and fines of up to $75,000.

It is also illegal to purchase one of the traps unless the buyer can prove they are a museum or an antiques collector.

"The RSPCA will take a very hard line with anyone caught setting a steel jaw trap," the spokeswoman said.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/illegal-steel-claw-animal-traps-found-near-altona-laverton-bike-path-20160126-gme67a.html#ixzz3yOUoYw1d

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[persephone]

It would be all the same if a child was exploring in the grass! Broken bones and a hell of a mess :(