Wire snares are used to trap predators across the UK, US, and globally — but cause severe welfare harms to target and non-target species alike and are facing growing calls for reform.
Animals caught in snares struggle until exhausted, causing lacerations, tissue damage, and panic. Long intervals between checks mean animals may suffer for 24+ hours before death or release. Even non-locking snares cause injury. Non-target captures create particular welfare harms — a domestic dog or badger caught is rarely a justified cost of pest control.