New polling shows 71 per cent think cruel snares should be illegal in England

New polling data released today shows strong support from people across England, especially in rural areas, for a ban on snares in the country.

These cruel traps are already outlawed in Scotland and Wales, and now campaigners are urging the government to deliver on its promise to make these cruel traps illegal in England.

The polling, commissioned by national animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports and carried out independently by YouGov, showed that 71 per cent of people who live in England believe that the use of snares should be made illegal in the country.

The number rose to 80 per cent among people living in rural areas - where snares are primarily used - and also had the backing of those who voted across the political spectrum in the 2024 general election (Con 67 per cent, Lab 74 per cent, Lib Dem 81 per cent, Reform UK 70 per cent).

Chris Luffingham, acting chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “This polling highlights the revulsion felt by so many people at the pain and suffering that these cruel devices cause and we look forward to snares being consigned to the history books.”

An Early Day Motion has been tabled this week in parliament by Ruth Jones MP calling on the government to ban the sale, possession and use of all snares without delay.

Chris added: “We welcome this move to ban these barbaric devices in England and to follow the precedent set recently in both Scotland and Wales where they have been outlawed, and we urge all MPs to support it.”

Iain Green, director of Animal Aid, which has also long campaigned for snares to be banned, said: “Snares are cruel, indiscriminate, archaic and totally unnecessary.

“The public has shown overwhelming support for a ban – and we applaud the government for sticking to its promise to banish snares for good.”

Snares are cruel wire traps which are used primarily by the shooting industry to kill wildlife on and around ‘game’ bird shoots to maintain artificially high stocks of grouse and non-native pheasants and red legged partridges simply so they can be shot.

Government figures show up to 200,000 of these traps lie hidden in the English countryside at any one time, ready to tighten around the neck, torso or legs of their victims and causing immense suffering and pain before the animal is shot or dies a lingering death.

The same research from Defra shows nearly three quarters of the animals caught are not the intended target species and include animals such as hares, badgers, otters and people’s pets.

Chris Luffingham added: “This government has pledged to introduce the most comprehensive animal welfare package in a generation and a ban on snares will be a huge step forward in achieving this.”

Ends

Notes to editors

The results of the polling are available here:

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,954 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 12th - 13th January 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults in England (aged 18+).

The Welsh Government banned snares in October 2023 and a ban on snares in Scotland came into force in March 2024.

Early Day Motion:

That this House welcomes the Government’s commitment to ban the use of snares in England and is heartened that the governments of Wales and Scotland have already successfully implemented such a ban; notes that a 2016 motion calling for a ban on snares was passed unanimously, and further, that a 2023 parliamentary debate on snares was triggered after more than 100,000 people signed a government petition; understands that many conservation land owners, such as The Woodland Trust, RSPB and Wildlife Trusts do not use snares on welfare grounds; and further notes that many organisations including the British Veterinary Association, the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission, the RSPCA, Dog’s Trust, Cats Protection and Badger Trust support a ban on snares on the grounds of animal welfare; acknowledges that snares are notoriously indiscriminate, catching, injuring and killing non-target animals, such as badgers, cats, dogs and deer, as well as causing pain and suffering to wild animals; and in light of YouGov polling in 2025 demonstrating that 71% of those who live in England believe that the use of snares should be made illegal in the country, calls on the Government to bring in a ban on the sale, possession and use of all snares without delay.

For more information or interview requests please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 01483 524250 or email pressoffice@league.org.uk.

The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain's leading charity that works to stop animals being persecuted, abused and killed for sport. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act 2004 and the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021. We carry out investigations to expose law-breaking and cruelty to animals and campaign for stronger animal protection laws and penalties. We work to change attitudes and behaviour through education and manage wildlife reserves to protect animals. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk. Registered charity in England and Wales (no.1095234) and Scotland (no.SC045533).