Steel jawed trap charges

17 August 2023

A Herne Hill man has been charged with animal cruelty for allegedly setting steel jawed traps on his property, capturing a rabbit and a fox.

Steel jawed traps are prescribed as an inhumane device under Western Australian law and their use is strictly regulated.

RSPCA WA received a report in April of a fox caught in one of the traps, still alive, bleeding and visibly distressed. The caller said a second trap contained a rabbit that had been decapitated.

An RSPCA WA inspector attended the 88-year-old’s property where she found the accused with a deceased rabbit that was decapitated with bone protruding from its hind leg, and a deceased fox that had a bone protruding from its front leg.

The accused has been charged under sections 19(1) and 19(2)(b) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege the accused was cruel to the fox and the rabbit in that he used a prescribed inhumane device on them.

The charges will be heard in Midland Magistrates Court on 4 September 2023.

The maximum penalty for a charge of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.

The RSPCA relies on the community to report incidents of suspected cruelty and neglect. Report cruelty 24/7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au

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