Robins caught in banned glue trap had 'horrific' death

Two robins suffered severe injuries when their body and legs became stuck

Two robins have been euthanised by an animal charity after becoming caught in a banned glue trap in Edinburgh city centre.

The birds suffered severe injuries when their body and legs became stuck in an adhesive-coated tray left in the Grassmarket last month.

MSPs voted in March to ban the traps, which are commonly used to catch vermin, but the new laws are still to come into force.

The Scottish SPCA, which put down the birds, said it was an "inhumane method of pest control that has no place in modern society".

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The charity’s special investigations inspector said the robins died a “horrific” death.

Baby mice and bats have also been euthanised after being stuck in the traps since the legislation was passed.

Four baby mice were found “screaming” in pain after being stuck in a glue trap in Glasgow, while a bat was euthanised after being stuck in a trap in Aberdeenshire last weekend.

The Scottish SPCA described the traps as inhumane and warned that animals were at risk of death from dehydration, hunger or exposure if mistakenly caught.

Two robins were put to sleep after being found in the Grassmarket area of Edinburgh

The SSPCA said: “These traps are indiscriminate and will cause unnecessary suffering to any bird or animal caught in them.

“Those setting the traps are obliged to stop unnecessary suffering by checking them regularly but there is no way of monitoring or enforcing this.

"Many of these traps are set in the wrong place which means birds and other animals can be trapped."

The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill was passed at the Scottish parliament in March.

It banned the purchase and use of wire snares and glue traps - although those specifically designed to catch moths or flies are still allowed.

While other parts of the act have been brought into force, the ban on glue traps is still to be enacted.

Part of that is due to the UK government’s failure to grant an exclusion to the Internal Market Act, which would allow Scotland to ban their sale.

The Scottish government said it was awaiting a UK government update before the ban could be rolled out.

The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said talks between the Scottish and UK governments on approving the exemption were still to take place.

In England, legislation which came into force on 31 July making it an offence to use the traps to capture rodents without a licence.