Wild Rabbit Trapping and Pest Control Welfare

Wild rabbits are managed as agricultural pests through trapping, shooting and poisoning, with significant welfare implications depending on the methods used and the competence of operators.

Key Facts

Spring traps (gin traps) are banned in the UK — only approved spring traps in covered settings are permitted
Snares remain legal in the UK but are highly controversial due to non-target capture and prolonged suffering
Free-running snares can cause severe neck injuries in rabbits held for hours before checking
Shooting rabbits at dusk is generally considered the most welfare-friendly population management method
The Scottish Government has consulted on snare bans following concern about non-target species capture including hares

Welfare Considerations

Wild rabbit pest control sits at the intersection of agricultural land management, wildlife welfare and predator ecology. Rabbits cause genuine agricultural damage, particularly to young crops and tree plantings, requiring management on many farms. The welfare impact of management methods varies enormously: clean rifle shooting is rapid; approved traps checked regularly cause limited suffering; snares cause prolonged suffering especially when rabbits become entangled rather than caught cleanly. The welfare case for banning snares and requiring regular trap checking intervals is strong. Alternative approaches including exclusion fencing can replace lethal control in some contexts with better welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for a UK snare ban alongside Scotland's consultation process
Advocate for mandatory trap checking intervals to reduce time animals spend caught before being dispatched
Report suspected use of illegal gin traps to police wildlife crime officers
Encourage land managers to use shooting and exclusion fencing as primary alternatives to snares