Mouse glue traps which are said to be one of the ‘cruelest methods’ of killing, have officially been banned in England.
The ban follows the English government backing a Private Member’s Bill, which reached a unanimous decision at its final reading in the House of Lords.
The bill is still yet to receive royal assent, but once it does, anyone caught with the cruel pest controller without a license will face a fine and/or up-to 51 weeks in prison, according to the Human Society International website.
If a person owns a glue trap, they need a license obtained by the Secretary of State, which may be provided if there’s ‘no other satisfactory solution’.
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The case first came to the government’s attention through the ‘Unstuck’ campaign, led by the Humane Society International/UK.
Executive director of Humane Society International/UK Claire Bass welcomed the removal of glue traps as she noted they’re responsible for the ‘horrific’ killings of many small animals.
She said: “Glue traps are crude devices that cause horrific suffering to millions of animals. It is absolutely right that their public use will be banned, and we hope this will precipitate their removal from sale by retailers since it will be illegal for their customers to use them.”
Bass added: “The licensing regime for glue trap use by the ‘pest’ control industry will need to be strictly managed to ensure that these cruel products are no longer casually used with impunity.”
Animal rights activist group PETA also supports the ban after years of calling on retail stores to stop selling the inhumane traps that prolong a rodent's suffering, which can last for days.
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The trap consists of cardboard, fibreboard, or plastic that comes with a sticky adhesive designed to capture any animals that cross its path.
Some animals may even get their face trapped in the glue, causing them to suffocate for hours.
Naturalist and campaigner Chris Packham also said he was ‘delighted’ upon hearing the ban and hopes people will respond more ‘compassionately’ when dealing with pests.
He said: “I commend HSI/UK on their Unstuck campaign victory and I’m delighted that cruel and unnecessary glue traps will now be taken out of public use, prompting a more compassionate and also effective approach to dealing with unwanted wildlife.”
Charisa Bossinakis