Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

Snares

10.—(1) Article 12 of the Wildlife Order (prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking wild animals) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (1)(a) after “position” insert “or otherwise uses”.

(3) In paragraph (1) after sub-paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa) sets in position or otherwise uses any other type of snare which is either of such a nature or so placed (or both) as to be calculated to cause unnecessary suffering to any wild animal coming into contact with it;”.

(4) After paragraph (2) insert—

“(2A) Any person who sets a snare in position or who knowingly causes or permits a snare to be so set must, while it remains in position, inspect it or cause it to be inspected at least once every day at intervals of no more than 24 hours.

(2B) Any person who, while carrying out such an inspection, finds an animal caught by the snare being inspected must, during the course of the inspection, release or remove the animal (whether live or dead).

(2C) Any person who—

(a) without reasonable excuse, contravenes paragraph (2A), or

(b) contravenes paragraph (2B),

shall be guilty of an offence.

(2D) Any person who, without reasonable excuse, is in possession of a snare which is capable of operating as a self-locking snare shall be guilty of an offence.

(2E) Any person who, without reasonable excuse—

(a) while on any land, has in his possession any snare without the authorisation of the owner or occupier of the land, or

(b) sets any snare in position on any land without the authorisation of the owner or occupier of the land,

shall be guilty of an offence.

(2F) Any person who—

(a) uses a snare otherwise than in accordance with such requirements as may be specified in an order made by the Department, or

(b) knowingly causes or permits any other person to do so,

shall be guilty of an offence.”.