Cat had to chew paws off to escape gin trap

This injured cat which had to chew off part of its front legs to escape an illegal gin trap has prompted the RSPCA to call for them to be banned.

Sam, a five-year-old black cat, returned to his home in Cromer Road in Sheringham in the evening on Sunday, January 18, with horrific injuries to his legs where he had struggled desperately to free himself from a trap. His owner, Simon Smith, took him to Miramar Veterinary Centre immediately where Sam had to be put to sleep to prevent him from further suffering.



He had fractured both legs and the skin and muscle was torn. The examining vet found that the injuries were consistent with the cat having been caught in a gin trap then shredding his legs in an attempt to escape.

RSPCA inspector John Jenkins was alerted, along with the police. He said: “Sam's injuries were horrific - his owners have no idea how he managed to get himself home in such a state.



“Gin traps are illegal and if you set them you are breaking the law, whether they catch anything or not. I cannot emphasise strongly enough the importance of checking your property for traps and removing them immediately before they harm another animal or person.”

Anyone found guilty of setting a gin trap which causes unnecessary suffering to an animal faces a maximum £20,000 fine and/or six months in prison.