Victory for Animals: Scotland to Ban Glue Traps!
Victory for animals in Scotland: the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill has passed its final vote at Holyrood! The bill bans the purchase and use of glue traps – cruel, indiscriminate killers that catch rats and mice as well as birds, frogs, and even cats. The animals trapped in them die of hunger, dehydration, or exposure after prolonged suffering, sometimes for several days.
Thank you to the more than 35,000 PETA supporters who urged Scottish officials to ban these cruel devices!
The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill also bans the use of snares and introduces regulations on the use of other traps and a licensing scheme for land where grouse are shot.
What About England and Wales?
Scotland now joins England and Wales, where laws banning glue traps have been passed. At the end of June 2023, the Senedd voted to pass the Agriculture (Wales) Bill – which made Wales the first UK nation to ban snares and introduce a full ban on glue traps. England prohibited public use of glue traps in 2022 with the Glue Traps (Offences) Act, which took effect in July 2024. A licensing system is in place to prevent the public from using glue traps to kill rodents, and those who break the law could face up to 51 weeks in prison, a fine, or both.
The Cruelty Behind Glue Traps
Glue traps are one of the cruellest methods of rodent control. They cause rats, mice, birds, frogs, hedgehogs, and even cats a prolonged, terrifying, and painful death.
Animals may suffocate when their noses and mouths become stuck in the glue, struggle to the point of exhaustion trying to free themselves, or even chew through their own limbs in a desperate bid for freedom and end up dying of blood loss.
How to Help Animals Caught in Glue Traps
British Hedgehog Preservation SocietyWhile You’re Here
When we ask – they listen! While the glue traps ban is great news for rats and mice, these sensitive, intelligent animals still need our help. Many are suffering or being killed in UK laboratories right now. Please use our rapid actions page to help end the use of mice, rats, and other small animals in cruel experiments:
