Snaring is used in the UK to control foxes and rabbits, but welfare concerns about indiscriminate capture and suffering have driven calls for stronger regulation or prohibition.
Snares cause welfare harm through multiple mechanisms: initial capture causes panic and injury from struggling; prolonged restraint causes psychological distress, dehydration, and exposure; and snares are inherently indiscriminate. The argument for snaring is pest control to protect gamebirds and livestock; the argument against is that the welfare costs to target and non-target species are unacceptably high when more selective methods exist. Scotland's decision to ban snaring reflects a policy judgement that these welfare costs cannot be justified. England's regulated approach attempts to reduce harm without prohibition, but enforcement remains a significant challenge.