RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information after a badger was found dead in a snare in south Ceredigion.

A badger was found dead in a snare close to the village of Pontgarreg - with the incident reported to the RSPCA on 1 April.

There has been a badger sett disturbance and alleged poisoning in the Spittal area in Pembrokeshire and a badger has also been found caught alive in a snare in the Neath area.

RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said the three incidents - which are not related - are “troubling and concerning”.

Although the snares involved in these incidents are legal to use for some species, it is an offence to catch badgers using snares and users of legal snares must take reasonable precautions to prevent protected animals such as badgers from being caught or injured by them.

It is also a legal requirement that snares be checked at least once a day, yet from the severity of the injuries caused to many animals it seems that many people do not follow even this minimal requirement.

He said: “These incidents are troubling and concerning and we would like to remind people that it is an offence, under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, to wilfully injure, kill or take a badger (except under licence).

"Badgers are also listed under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which would make the use of a snare to catch badgers an offence.

"It is also an offence to damage, destroy or obstruct access to a badger sett except under licence.

“Snares can cause a huge amount of pain and distress to animals - both pets and wildlife - and this incident is another example of why their use is both inhumane and indiscriminate.”

See this week’s South Ceredigion paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now