We are appealing for information after a fox was killed by an illegal snare at Masterton Allotments, Edinburgh.

A member of the public discovered the remains of the fox on 3 April.

The snare did not have a ‘stop’, a mechanism which prevents the device from tightening after a certain point. All snares are legally required to have an identification tag but this was also absent on the device.

An undercover inspector from the Scottish SPCA’s special investigations unit said, “The snare was home made so had no stop on it, resulting in it becoming imbedded into the fox’s body which caused a long and agonising death.

“The snare also appears to have been cut, releasing the fox but leaving the snare on the animal.

“Although the Scottish SPCA are calling for a complete ban on the use of snares, they are still legal to catch certain wildlife if restrictions are adhered to.

“This is not the case when a homemade snare is being used.

“Snares do not discriminate and can cause both wildlife and domestic animals a great amount of unnecessary suffering.

“It is illegal for anyone to tamper with a legally set snare or trap so we would ask the public not to attempt this. If someone suspects a device is set illegally then they should contact us immediately.

“Anyone with information on this incident should contact the Scottish SPCA’s confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”