Three large illegal animal traps found in Sai Kung village

8 January 2023 rsbradbeer ANIMAL WELFARE 0

^{Three cages measuring 3 feet by 2 feet were recently discovered in Che Ha Village, Sai Kung Photo: 十四鄉牛牛 – 西貢 Shap Sze Heung Moo Moo – Sai Kung}

Cases of animal traps injuring cats and dogs happen from time to time in Hong Kong, but it is illegal to place animal traps without permission. Recently, three large animal traps appeared in Che Ha Village, Sai Kung, with a bag of fresh vegetables and fruits hanging inside. Villagers assumed that they were used to catch wild boars and even young cattle. The village head, the site owner and the Society for the Protection of Animals were notified to remove the traps.

According to the Facebook page of 十四鄉牛牛 – 西貢 Shap Sze Heung Moo Moo – Sai Kung, a villager in Che Ha Village found a trap about 3 feet by 2 feet on a site in the village at dusk on 22 December, with vegetables hanging in it. Fruits were attached to the door of the cage so that as the animals enter the cage and touch the vegetables and fruits, they will immediately activate the mechanism and close the door.

^{There are fresh vegetables and fruits in the traps, and the villagers estimate that they were used to catch wild boars and young cattle Photo: 十四鄉牛牛 – 西貢 Shap Sze Heung Moo Moo – Sai Kung}

The Shap Sze Heung Moo Moo – Sai Kung Facebook page quoted villagers as saying that there were two similar traps in other areas of the village, all made by the same person. The location where they were found is the access and exit point of the habitat of cattle and wild boars, so many animals would pass by every day. Volunteers estimated that after someone had caught an animal, they inserted a sharp weapon from outside the cage to kill it, and then opened the cage to strip the bones and remove the flesh.

Volunteers called on the villagers to be vigilant and not allow strangers to sneak into the village to hunt cattle and pigs. “Hong Kong Animal Post” pointed out that an inspector of the SPCA came to the scene and removed the trap, thinking that there was fresh bait in the cage, which was obviously a trap that was being actively used, not a legacy from before.

From time to time in Hong Kong there are reports of stray cats and dogs, who are caught in similar traps, causing serious injuries to the bone, sometimes requiring amputation to save their lives. The SPCA have pointed out that the weather has turned cold recently, and the organisation has received many calls from citizens saying that animals that have been injured by illegal traps need to be rescued. The SPCA’s 24-hour hotline received more than 1,900 calls in mid-November 2022 alone resulting in assistance to more than 330 animals. The SPCA said that it does not really know why people setting up the animal traps. One theory is that the residents are afraid that the leftover food after sweeping graves will attract wild boars and stray dogs to the village.

^{Stray dog caught in animal trap Photo: Hong Kong Animal Post}

Under the current law, anyone who possesses hunting equipment without permission, or uses hunting equipment to hunt wild animals, commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 upon conviction. If anyone finds a trap, please do not clean it to avoid injury. Call the 24-hour animal rescue hotline immediately. When hiking with a dog, please pay attention to whether there are suspicious metals and food residues on the road, and do not buy or dispose of them. Always call the hotline first on 2711 1000.