Illegal gin trap catches hawk
Animal welfare advocates are upset an Australasian harrier hawk has been trapped in a banned leg-hold trap.
The use of a cruel and illegal leg-hold trap which injured an Australasian harrier hawk on a farm outside of Hamilton has the SPCA considering pressing charges.
The Waikato SPCA is currently investigating the case after they were called out to a property last Thursday evening where Julie Smith discovered the hawk caught in a banned gin trap.
Mrs Smith was “absolutely shocked” to find the bird in distress with its feet caught in the metal jaws of the trap.
“I was enraged that someone could do something like this, the trap had obviously been set up high and the bird was the target.”
The use of gin traps and other leg-hold traps became heavily restricted in 2007 after concerns were raised over the unnecessary suffering these traps caused animals and the risk of pets being caught.
From January 2011 all un-padded leg-hold traps were made illegal.
Gordonton man Bill Smith nursed the bird during its recovery and said it was a lucky.
“A bird like that that has been caught in a gin trap and has survived is very, very lucky. There was a little damage to its claws and he was able to feed himself.”
The bird finished a course of antibiotics and was released.
Hans Kriek, Director of SAFE animal advocacy organisation, stresses that not knowing is not an excuse under the law.
“I have little sympathy for people using these traps. You only have to look at them to know they are extremely cruel.”
Failure to comply with the ban is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and is punishable by up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $25,000.
