A CAT has been left severely injured after getting caught in an illegal trap.

The tabby and white cat was found on Monday (August 19) with a gin trap clamped around her front left leg.

She was found by a member of the public who contacted Langport Vets after she was discovered trying to get through a fence trailing the trap.

Sadly the cat - who remains at the vets pending x-rays and further treatment after having had the trap removed - is not microchipped so it has not been possible to find her owner.

RSPCA Inspector John Pollock is investigating after the cat was found close to Tesco store in Langport.

He is now appealing to anyone who recognises the cat, or has information about this trap and where the trap was set, to get in touch by calling the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line in complete confidence on 0300 123 8018.

He said: “It’s shocking to think that this poor cat had been left to suffer with this awful metal trap hanging from her leg. Given the size and power of it, it’s lucky the illegal trap did not do more damage to her. The trap was oiled and well maintained so we suspect it had been set intentionally to catch an animal.

“Sadly we’ve been unable to track down her owner and desperately hope someone will recognise her and we’ll be able to reunite them.

“We would also ask local people in the area to be vigilant and to keep an eye out for these traps. Not only is it illegal to set a gin trap, it is also illegal to cause an animal to suffer as a result. We have seen domestic animals fall victim to these traps many times.

“Gin traps are mechanical devices designed to catch an animal by its leg, using spring-operated jaws with teeth or serrated edge. Although owning or selling a gin trap is not an offence, the use of gin traps has been outlawed in the UK since 1958, as well as the use of a legal spring trap that has been modified by having teeth cut into the jaws or fencing staples welded onto them. Despite this, some are still being illegally used to catch animals such as rabbits and foxes.
“Gin traps are indiscriminate. The victims can be wildlife, or family pets but whichever the animal, these traps cause a great deal of suffering and we are extremely concerned about their use.

“The RSPCA is opposed to the manufacture, sale and use of all snares and traps which cause suffering. Animals trapped like this will struggle when caught and may succeed in pulling the trap from its anchor only to die later from their injuries."