CUNNINGHAME North MSP Kenneth Gibson has shown his support for Scotland's ban on snaring animals, which came into force on Monday.

The SNP member joined 10 other MSPs outside the Scottish Parliament to mark the ban, alongside animal welfare charity OneKind and conservation charity Scottish Badgers. 

They posed beside a sign that read ‘Welcome to Scotland, a snare free country’. The sign, modelled on the ‘Welcome to Scotland’ sign at the Scottish border on the A1, is an ode to a 2010 campaign stunt the charity undertook to push for a snaring ban.  

Mr Gibson was joined by Lorna Slater, Ariane Burgess, Maggie Chapman, Mark Ruskell, Karen Adam, Ben Macpherson, Stuart McMillan, Kenneth Gibson, Colin Smyth, Carol Mochan and John Mason at the event. 

Snares are wire noose traps that were set to trap animals by the neck, although capture by the abdomen or leg is also common.

Although they are set for specific species, snares are indiscriminate and over the years, dogs and cats, and non-target wild animals have suffered in these devices. 

OneKind Director, Bob Elliot, said:  “Today is a historic day for Scotland. After decades of campaigning for a ban, we are thrilled that from today the use of snares is now illegal.  

“For far too long, animals have endured suffering in these cruel and outdated traps. We extend our gratitude to the Scottish Government for taking action to end this cruelty. 

“We’re delighted that Scotland now joins the vast majority of European countries that have consigned snares to the history books.” 

He added: “Fourteen years ago, we stood in this very same spot, with a very similar sign, to encourage the Scottish Government and public to envision a snare-free Scotland.

"Today, we’re thrilled that this is no longer a vision, but a reality.”