What Are Snares? The Wild Animals Being Killed By The Elite

Animal activist Doug Maw was acquitted of nine charges related to freeing animals from traps and snares on land owned by the Duke of Norfolk. Snares, thin wire nooses used to trap animals, are legal in the UK and are often set on private estates owned by the wealthy, including the Royal Family. Despite public support for a ban on snares, they remain legal in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, with the UK being one of only five European countries where they are allowed.

Snares are meant to capture foxes and rabbits, but they often trap unintended species like badgers, deer, and hares. These traps are primarily used on shooting estates to reduce the number of birds caught by foxes. The legal battle against the rich and powerful for animal rights, exemplified by Maw's case, continues as activists face criminal charges for trying to save innocent animals from suffering.