Two robins euthanised after being cruelly stuck to deadly glue trap in Edinburgh

WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES: The birds were found on August 22 - despite a new law banning the use of glue traps coming into power earlier this year.

Two robins have been put to sleep after being found stuck to a deadly glue trap in Edinburgh city centre.

The grim discovery was made in the Grassmarket area of the capital on August 22. Sickening images show the animals trapped to the device by glue.

As a result of their injuries sustained by the trap, the birds were sadly euthanised by officers from the Scottish SPCA (SSPCA).

A special investigations inspector from the SSPCA said: “The poor things were stuck by their front and legs. It meant that every time they tried to free themselves, the glue would have been ripping their feathers out with every movement.

“Sadly, as the injuries were so severe and removing the glue would have caused the robins even more pain and suffering, the difficult decision was made to put them both to sleep.”

In other incidents, four baby mice found screaming in a trap in Glasgow were euthanised to relieve them of the horrifying pain and suffering they were in. A long-eared bat was also put to sleep last weekend after the underside of their wings and an ear were stuck to a glue trap in Aberdeenshire that was used for insects.

Last month, the SSPCA issued a warning after a seagull had become trapped in Aberdeen on a glue trap. Thankfully the bird survived the ordeal. In March this year, the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill was passed in the Scottish Parliament after years of campaigning by the animal welfare charity.

The Bill includes a range of measures that will give greater protection to wildlife, including a ban on the use of all forms of snares and a ban on the use of glue traps.

The inspector continued: “The Scottish SPCA does not support their use as these traps are indiscriminate and will cause unnecessary suffering to any bird or animal caught in them. Those setting the traps are obliged to stop unnecessary suffering by checking them regularly but there is no way of monitoring or enforcing this.

"Many of these traps are set in the wrong place which means birds and other animals can be trapped. It’s an inhumane method of pest control that has no place in modern society.”

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If anyone finds a trapped animal in distress or spots a trap or snare they suspect is illegal, please do not hesitate to contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

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