hedgehogs and the law?

[momji1971]

I'm wondering. The laws states:-

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Section 11 it is illegal to set in position any trap calculated to cause bodily injury to any wild animal included in Schedule 6, which includes Hedgehogs.

If I inform my local council and can show proof, that rat baited traps are killing hedgehogs. Then being in full knowledge of this would they be breaking the law if they do not remove traps in offending sites? ie, allottments
.
regards.
Stu.

[fairplay]

I think in this case emphasis would be on the word 'calculated' meaning in this context 'intending to' so I could easily see lawyers saying that although the council may be aware hedgehogs are being harmed, it is not their intention to harm as they are specifically targeting rats (being the council's statutory duty to control ?)

BUT, merely bringing your concerns to the council's attention and wording it as you have, will surely make them rethink their methodology, such as simply narrowing the entrance to the traps, preventing the fatter hedgehogs of getting through.

Neil.

[King Edward]

You might have more success with the council if you have the backing of a local wildlife group, rather than just as an individual. Perhaps also if you are able to propose a realistic hedgehog-friendly alternative, such as smaller traps like fairplay suggested, rather than just raising the issue.

[momji1971]

Thanks. I was just wondering. Without some loophole in the law the council will do nothing.

Making the hole smaller won't help the situation I'm afraid as it's mostly small juv's that find these baited traps as shelter and food.

Recently had to explain to a well meaning individual that just because some companies don't use a true toxin doesn't mean it's not lethal to our little friends.

I showed that literature from one that uses corn. The rats eat it then go to their burrow and dehydrate, blood vessels collapse as do major organs and then die and mummify insitu. As do the baby hogs.

Will keep looking. Thanks for the replies.
regards.
Stu.

[King Edward]

Alternatively, would it be possible for the traps to be placed in slightly elevated positions, so the rats could smell the bait and climb up but the hedgehogs could not? If it's on allotments, have you spoken to the (other) allotment holders about it?