THE . TRAPPING. OF RABBITS [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.] SIR,—After reading the two letters from Cornwall on rabbit- trapping in your last week's issue, I venture to think one from a a very different region of the same county may be of interest.
In the St. Ives neighbourhood there is -a fair amount of moorland ground scattered with houses and cottages, isolated or in groups. Rabbit-catching by means of steel tooth trap and running wire noose was prevalent, and the sight of bunnies with broken paws and bulging eyes, in horrid token of the agony thus caused, was common in the shops to the discomfort of sensitive souls. However, it was the terrible toll in pet cats and dogs among the residents which caused some of us, who were more or less new to the district, to feel we must tackle the situation. We bought large quantities of the penny '11.S.P.C.A. stop-knot noose, or " Humane Snare," and gave them to the local ironmongers, at the same time gaining their kindly interest in our scheme. We then advertised in the local Press that any trappers bringing a steel tooth trap to these shops would receive its cash equiva- lent in Humane Snares, with the result that an encouraging number of these instruments of torture were handed over.
One of us spoke at the Boys' Council School on the subject and ceremoniously handed a Humane Snare to the head boy, whose sympathy seemed much aroused. By good fortune this fine lad shortly became known to fame as the chief footballer of the place, and to his promise of speaking a word for Brer Rabbit among his admirers that long- suffering rodent no doubt owes a distinct bettering in the method of his death. This happened about two years ago; and we are told by the ironmongers that the popular demand for the Humane Snare, which they now stock on trade terms; has steadily increased.
May I, as a regular subscriber to the Spectator, take this opportunity of thanking you for the wise and helpful ventila.. tion you have given to various aspects of the cruelty problem ?
With prophetic 'spiritual insight Cicero Said " No cruelty is useful." At this later age might we not courageously say : " All cruelty for selfish ends, whether commercial or sportive, is an abomination " ?—I am, Sir, &c., M. K. F. THORNLEY
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