Should snare traps be banned? Take our poll and have your say

A shocking video of a fox trapped in a snare trap on King Charles' estate has provoked widespread condemnation online, with some labelling the animal control method 'barbaric'. As such we want to know - should snare traps be banned?

Conservationist Dr Charlie Gardner posted the video online after his friend discovered a trapped in the snare during a walk around the 's Sandringham Estate. The short, minute-long clip shows the terrified with a wire snare around its neck, eyes bulging as it tries to escape from the trap before the cameraman frees it themselves.

Dr Gardner accompanied the video online with the text: "A friend of mine was strolling through the King's this morning and came across this barbaric horror. Happily, he was able to release it." Following its publication online, the video sparked outrage, with many calling on King Charles to stop using snare traps on his Norfolk estate.

The person who filmed the video, who did not want to be named, said: "It’s a strange fact that injured or trapped animals rarely make a sound because of the fear of giving away their location to predators. This fox remained silent and still until it realised it had no option but to try and escape. The look in its eyes of sheer terror is so distressing to witness and makes me think of all the animals which are regularly trapped awaiting their fate."

They added: “This snare was placed alongside a rare Chalk Stream which is regularly used by otters and could easily have resulted in the death of these beautiful creatures."

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Snare traps are wired nooses set up to catch wild animals and are commonly used by large landowners. They have recently been banned in Wales and , in 2023 and 2024 respectively. However, while they are regulated under law, the practice is still legal in England and Northern Ireland.

In response to the video, there were calls for the King to be relinquished of his role as a patron of the RSPCA. Paolo Thomas posted: “@RSPCA_official on ‘our’ patron’s estate ffs! C Windsor is not a fit person. Please tell him to rescind his patronage.”

Commenting in response to the about the shocking snare trap video, readers shared the outrage of those online. THFC4Tim wrote: "It was Labour that banned hunting with Now ban these vile traps." While EthelTheRed said: "How can anyone agree with this when they see how terrified that poor animal is."

Nevg wrote: "I shoot rabbits, foxes and other vermin humanely but I do not like snares, they cause far too much suffering to animals the gamekeepers in Sandringham need to be reprimanded. The King is supposed to set an example but he isn't when he doesn't know what is going on an his estates. What would happen if a small dog got strangled by one of these barbaric snares?"

Fromwhereistand said: "To set snares is totally unconscionable. Any animal can get caught in these appalling contraptions and are left, unattended, for long periods of time causing unimaginable horror to any animal ensnared. The irony is that the snares are set, in theory, to trap and kill foxes thus reducing the number of hand-reared pheasants taken. It's driven purely by profit as people pay huge sums of money for the privilege of shooting these tame pheasants. A truly out of date and cruel practice."

What do you think? Should snare traps be banned? and .