A cat owner has described finding her beloved pet caught in an illegally set snare in Macduff – and urged others to be on the lookout.
Moggy Rossie became trapped in the device near a fence on Myrus Circle, with the wire wrapped around his neck overnight.
His owner Stephanie Drake only found him the next day after hearing a cat crying out while visiting a neighbour.
The 62-year-old raced him to the vet in Banff, where they discovered he has lost teeth and claws. His mouth was also badly bruised.
Miss Drake said: “The wire was round its neck and a friend of mine came from over the road and managed to cut it.
“I thought he was a goner. The trap was on a peg in the ground and the cat couldn’t get out.
“He has lost two teeth, his mouth is badly bruised and he has lost some claws at the back of his feet.
“I took him to the vet and they said he should be fine but it will take a bit of time for him to heal.
“But I am not letting him out anymore. I don’t know how people can be so cruel.”
Miss Drake did not report it to the police but she did contact the Scottish SPCA.
The animal welfare charity said they have been alerted to the incident.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said it shows how “indiscriminate” the devices, which are traditionally used for protecting crops and livestock from rabbits and foxes, can be.
He said: “Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident in Scotland. These incidents highlight how completely indiscriminate snares are.
“While snaring continues, suffering will continue and that is why we are in favour of an outright ban on the use of snares in Scotland.
“If anyone does find a snare, we ask that you leave it untouched and to contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999 if you believe it to have been set illegally.”
The use of snares is subject to legal restrictions and they must be set by authorised people so they do not trap domestic animals.