CRUEL RABBIT TRAPPING
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The vicar of Morwenstowe surely cannot mean what ho writes in the opening words of his letter in the Spectator of Nov- ember 22nd, otherwise why did he pen that letter for publica- tion? It must be admitted that education alone has been, and must continue to be, responsible for civilized advance along humane lines. The large number of letters from all districts which have recently appeared in the Spectator, and other scientific journals, show the interest which is being aroused in the country on the subject of cruelty to animals, and must finally react favourably on the whole community. May I add experience obtained whilst acting in the capacity of experimenter with humane rabbit traps for the University of London Animal Welfare Society (Secretary, Capt. C. W. Hume, M.C., B.Sc., 14 The Hawthorns, Finchley, N. 3) to the views advanced, pro and con, in the recent issues of the Spectator ?
I have now made extensive trials with a long net, ferrets with small nets, several varieties of snares, and other traps. I have also been in daily intercourse with poachers, game- keepers and farmers; and in correspondence with the West Country Police Superintendents. As the result of these investigations I have arrived at the conclusion that the steel trap and the commOn snare are not required to Cope with the rabbit menace, and should be relegated to a past era as incom- patible with modern civilization.
Long nets.—The use of the long, commonly designated Poacher's Net, which is unassociated with cruelty, can be made responsible practically anywhere for the capture of the great bulk of depredating rabbits.- A modification of this net, which can be set in daylight and released after dark, is on the market (Collington's Net). I have it on the authority of a superintendent of police in the West of England that, by poachers :
(a) " The principal appliance used is the not " ; that
(b) " A considerable number of rabbits can be caught in a night by the long net " ; that
(c) `• Poachers can catch rabbits in nets in almost any district "; and, finally, That (d) "The work of catching rabbits in nets is not particularly expert."
The best propaganda in favour of netting rabbits, which is admittedly humane, is the evidence of the police courts throughout the length and breadth of the country. If poachers working surreptitiously at night can be responsible for big captures, certainly the honest farmer and his employees can be reasonably expected to be equally or more successful.
Ferrets.—The combined employment of muzzled (not gagged) ferrets and small nets ; a system in general vogue throughout the country, is snore or less humane, and can be operated in most localities where the steel trap to-day holds sway.
Snares.—Excellent humane snares are on the market, which kill instantly. Tht two I particularly favour are the Lewis snare and the " Rabbitjerk." Either of them costs considerably less than a well-made steel trap.
At the present time new forms of humane snares and traps are being introduced into the market, some of which open up wide possibilities.
A word on the R.S.P.C.A. humane snare, about which your correspondent, Mr. T. F. H. Chrisp, is not eulogistic. On his own admission he only used one snare, so that his arguments appear unfair. In my experience equal numbers of rabbits are caught with the old-fashioned and the R.S.P.C.A. snares. I must admit that this snare is not absolutely satisfactory (its price is only ld.), but my assistants and I agree that it reduces suffering, all things considered, by say seventy-five per cent. The pathetic sight of a rabbit which has been in a common snare for many hours, viz., enormously swollen head, greatly protruding and blood-shot eyes, and, in fact, all the symptoms of slow strangulation, is, at any rate, avoided by the use of the R.S.P.C.A. snare.
To those who continue to use either snare or steel-toothed trap, our society makes an appeal to visit them say three hours after dark, as it is during the first few hours of darkness that the heavy percentage of rabbits are caught. In this way long-continued hours of suffering are avoided.—I am,
Sir, &c., A. H. B. KIREMAN. " Bangioeolo," Staplehursi, Kent.
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