93^ Cruelty in the Destruction of Animals, [feb., 



by a simple knot so as to leave 5J- inches between it and the 

 small loop through which the wire is passed to form the 

 snare, it will prevent the wire being pulled up too tightly. 

 A loop about if inches in diameter will thus be left round 

 the neck of the trapped rabbit, which will be secured without 

 being strangled. This trap has' the further advantage that 

 the rabbits are in a better condition for purposes of sale. 



The Wild Animals in Captivity Protection Act, 1900. — 

 This Act, which applies to all wild birds and beasts, pro- 

 vides that a person shall be guilty of an offence who, whilst 

 in animal is in captivity or close confinement, or is maimed, 

 pinioned, or subjected to any appliance or contrivance for the 

 purpose of hindering or preventing its escape from such 

 captivity or confinement, shall by wantonly or unreasonably 

 doing or omitting any act cause or permit to be caused any 

 unnecessary suffering to the animal. The Act does not 

 apply to any act done or to any omission in the course of 

 destroying or preparing any animal for destruction as food 

 for mankind. 



Wild Birds Protection Acts. — The use of pole-traps is pro- 

 hibited by the Wild Birds Protection Act, 1904, section 1 of 

 which enacts that every person who, on any pole, tree, or 

 cairn of stones or earth, shall affix, place, or set any spring, 

 trap, gin, or other similar instrument calculated to cause 

 bodily injury to any wild bird coming in contact therewith, 

 and every person who shall knowingly permit or suffer or 

 cause any such trap to be so affixed, placed, or set, shall be 

 guilty of an offence, and shall be liable on summary con- 

 viction to a penalty not exceeding forty shillings, and for a 

 second or subsequent offence to a penalty not exceeding five 

 pounds. 



The use of hooks or other similar instruments for taking 

 wild birds is an offence under the Wild Birds Protection 

 Act, 1908. 



The trapping of wild animals in general has not been made 

 the subject of legislation, but the desirability of employing 

 a type of trap calculated either to cause immediate death or 

 to secure the animal without injury is obvious, and the Board 

 trust that all lovers of animals wall do their utmost to prevent 

 the use of cruel traps. 



