MICHEAL ANITT'S HORRIFIC SNARE TRAP INCIDENT IN OSWESTRY LEADS TO COURT SENTENCE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Oswestry, Micheal Anitt, born February 1977 and residing at Erw Wen, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an innocent animal through the use of a homemade snare trap. The incident, which took place in the quiet surroundings of Oswestry, highlights the dangers and cruelty associated with such makeshift devices.

According to court records, Anitt crafted a trap from wire with the specific intent of preventing his neighbors' cats from entering his garden. His actions stemmed from a dislike of the neighborhood felines, which he believed were trespassing on his property. On this particular occasion, Anitt set the trap and then left the area for the weekend, leaving the device unattended.

Unbeknownst to him, the trap was activated when a cat named Jeremy, belonging to his neighbors, wandered into the garden. Jeremy became ensnared in the wire trap, which was set at a height that caused him to be suspended off the ground. The poor animal was trapped for approximately 12 hours, during which he endured significant distress and injury. Jeremy's owners, concerned about his disappearance, launched a search and eventually found him in a state of panic, wrapped in wire and hanging from a tree or structure in the garden.

Jeremy was discovered bleeding and with a foot injury, which indicated the severity of his ordeal. The owners acted swiftly, managing to free him from the trap and transporting him to a veterinarian. Fortunately, Jeremy's injuries were not life-threatening, and he was able to make a full recovery. However, the incident could have had a far more tragic outcome, as the snare had the potential to cause fatal injuries, especially if it had caught Jeremy around his neck, leading to strangulation.

RSPCA inspector Phil Lewis, who investigated the case, described the scene and the dangers posed by such traps. He stated, “Poor Jeremy had got caught around his torso and the more he tried to free himself, the tighter the snare got around him. He simply wasn’t able to get free. For over 12 hours Jeremy struggled and by the time he was found by his worried owners, he was clearly in a lot of distress. His owners managed to free him and took him to a vet, where thankfully he was not too seriously injured. He has made a full recovery, but he could have very easily not have been that lucky. The snare could have caught him around his neck, strangling him to death.”

In court, Anitt pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the animal. The judge sentenced him to pay a total of £706 in fines and costs. Additionally, he was disqualified from keeping any animals for a period of 10 years, a ban that will last until September 2027. The case has drawn attention to the cruelty of homemade traps and the importance of animal welfare laws in protecting innocent creatures from such inhumane devices.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by DIY traps and the need for responsible pet ownership and community vigilance in Oswestry and beyond.