Badger's 'horrific' death in Sheffield snare

A badger has suffered a "prolonged and horrific" death after being caught in an illegal snare in Sheffield.

The RSPCA said it was investigating after the young female badger's body was found by a member of the public in Onesacre, Oughtibridge.

The snare had been attached to a fence and the animal had become tangled in the fence while trying to escape.

The RSPCA said the snare was "crude" and "home-made" and urged anyone with information to contact them.

Badgers 'welcome'

Another similar snare was found nearby.

RSPCA Inspector Damian Woolliscroft said: "This was a prolonged and horrific death and we want to hear from anyone who knows who is setting these snares before another animal is caused to suffer so dreadfully."

A spokesman for the South Yorkshire Badger Group said badgers were "quite welcome" in Oughtibridge and "live happily as part of the community".

He said: "The use of snares is quite common in areas where game-keeping and shooting birds is popular, and that isn't really the case here.

"Badgers in the wider North Sheffield area have suffered badly from snaring and poisoning over the years but this is the first incident I've heard of in Oughtibridge. It's a bit of a blow."