RSPCA asks public to report glue trap sellers after tawny owl dies

Credit: RSPCA

The RSPCA is stepping up its campaign against glue traps after another owl has died, trapped in one of the devices.

The animal charity is asking the public to report sellers of glue traps which can kill or severely injure small animals. It comes after two owls were caught in traps in just a week.

A tawny owl from Wareham in Dorset became stuck in a glue trap when a resident had used them to try and solve a rat problem.

After attempting to free the bird, she called the RSPCA for help. An officer took the owl to the RSPCA’s West Hatch wildlife centre for treatment, but sadly, due to the extensive damage he’d suffered from being trapped, vets felt the kindest option for the distressed bird put him to sleep.

The lethal - but still legal - traps which are also known as 'glue boards' or 'sticky boards' consist of a sheet of plastic, cardboard or wood coated with non-drying adhesive.

According to industry codes of practice, only trained operators should use them; so retailers should not even be selling them to the general public.

The RSPCA is against the sale of glue traps, traditionally used to catch rodents. Credit: RSCPA

RSPCA advice on glue traps:

  • Never trying to free an animal from a trap, as there is a risk of injury to both the person and the animal

  • Stay back to avoid stressing the animal

  • Call the RSPCA’s emergency line on 0300 1234 999

  • Report glue-trap sellers with the name and address of the shop where the traps are being sold, the manager or owner of the store concerned and the date the traps were seen on sale.

  • The RSPCA will then write to the retailer and ask them to consider stopping the sale of glue traps, remove all glue traps from their stock and not to re-stock them in the future – to prevent the problem reoccurring.