Snares cause severe suffering to wildlife, killing or injuring both target and non-target species. Reforming or banning snare use is a major animal welfare priority in many countries.
Snare trapping causes some of the most severe and prolonged suffering inflicted on wildlife in the UK countryside. Animals caught in snares experience pain, panic, and exhaustion as they struggle to free themselves, often sustaining severe injuries before dying or being killed when the snare is checked. The indiscriminate nature of snares means protected and non-target species regularly suffer alongside intended quarry. The welfare case for banning snares is compelling, and Scotland's 2024 ban demonstrates that land management objectives can be achieved through alternative methods.