A Govilon woman has spoken of her shock after her beloved dog found itself ensnared in a crude animal trap, over the weekend.

Angela Stevens told The Chronicle her Sprocker is lucky to get away with no serious injuries after a crude hunting trap clamped down on its leg during a Saturday morning walk near woodlands not far from the family home.

“My husband took our dog out on Saturday morning, for a walk along the canal path near the wharf,” said Mrs Stevens.

“All of a sudden he heard a really loud squealing noise. So, he rushed over and found Teasel, our dog, with its leg stuck in this trap hidden at the base of one of the trees.”

It is believed that hunters rigged up the trap, which slams two steel arms shut when triggered under minimal pressure, to catch squirrels just 20 or so yards from the footpath. Once shut, the device is almost impossible to wriggle free from. ??Mrs Steven’s husband managed to release the Fenn trap from Teasle’s front left leg, and take both the trap and the animal home.

“Teasle is better now,” said Mrs Stevens. “We took her out for a walk earlier. I think she was shocked, and she walked with a limp after it. But it could have been very different, given the circumstances. I just wouldn’t want this to happen to a child.”

Her daughter, Malinka, said the incident could have ended with much more dire consequences for the treasured family pet. Posting on social media on Saturday, Malinka said, “My dad walked his dog up the canal near the wharf in Govilon this morning, unfortunately someone has laid traps which Teasel got her leg caught in, she’s lucky enough to walk away relatively unscathed but feeling rather sorry for herself. Please keep an eye on your dogs as it could of been a lot worse!”??The pressure-plated device, believed to be a model of the Fenn trap, is legal according to legislation, but guidelines insist such traps should not be set out in the open.

The Spring Traps Approval (Wales) Order 2010 states that all Fenn trap models must be set ‘in a natural or artificial tunnel’ to minimise the chances of ‘injuring or killing’ animals other than those targeted. ??A spokesman for the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation told The Chronicle that, “Under the Pest Act 1954, such traps must be approved by the appropriate Ministry (currently Defra) and listed in statutes (Spring Trap Approval Orders). Trap approval includes the condition that they must be used within a suitable tunnel. This requirement is designed to prevent the capture of non-target birds or larger mammals.”??Suitable targets, according to legislation, include grey squirrels, stoats, weasels, rats, mice, mink, and rabbits. Legislation guidelines for all three Fenn models stress the need to set such traps only within suitable tunnels. ?

Nick Weston, who heads campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said it is commonplace for domestic pets to get caught up in likewise traps. ??

“Fenn traps are deployed by pheasant shooting estates to target native stoats and weasels, to ensure large numbers of factory-farmed game birds that are reared are available to be shot for fun. However, the victims of these cruel contraptions – in which animals may take up to two minutes to die – are not limited to those targeted.??

“Sadly, beloved pets such as cats and dogs are often caught in the bone-breaking jaws of Fenn traps. Pheasant shooting and the traps used to service the bloodsport must be banned as a matter of urgency to protect animals from suffering.”

A spokesperson for RSPCA Cymru warned that anyone setting such traps outside of the required guidelines is breaking the law.

“RSPCA Cymru is saddened to hear that a dog has been injured due to what is believed to have been a Fenn trap, but we are pleased to hear that the dog escaped serious injury and hope they recover quickly from what must have been a painful and distressing incident,” she said.

“We are opposed to the manufacture, sale and use of all snares and any trap which causes suffering. Snares are cruel and indiscriminate in what they catch. About 40 per cent of snared animals are not the intended target species.

“There are strict legal conditions on setting these types of traps (Fenn traps) and not setting them in the right way can mean that you are committing an offence. These traps should be set in such a way to prevent them killing or injuring a domestic animal, or any other non-target animal, and so people should think carefully before using them.” ??The spokesperson also reiterated why the setting of such traps is restricted to within tunnels.

“Generally speaking, however, dogs should not get caught in Fenn traps if they are being set properly. Those using the traps should be fully aware of the legislation regulating their use and of codes of practice that should be followed  to ensure that non-target species are not captured.

“These traps must be set inside real or artificial tunnels and the entrance to the tunnel should be restricted so as to avoid incidents like this.”?