Pitchcare Rabbits and the law
Despite their ‘cute’ reputation, rabbits are a major pest species in the UK. This non-native nuisance is underestimated by most, but their capacity to breed as well as chew, munch, eat and dig through most terrain is unchallenged
Seven rabbits will eat as much as one rabbits can decimate an area very quickly. through crop damage.
Sports grounds and public areas are much favoured habitats for rabbits. The most likely reason for the need for rabbits to be controlled in such places is mainly due to and burrows, the chance of a member of the public falling and injuring themselves in a lawsuit against the landowners or managers.
to them and, overnight, can become unplayable. They will also cause damage to equipment such as football and cricket through electricity cables, especially if they choose to take up residence under the clubhouse.
a variety of plants - and they don’t from their burrows outwards, which results in loss of habitat for insects and small
Their burrowing can cause subsidence and erosion, whilst trees and shrubs get ring barked and die!
You must obey the law to control rabbit numbers on your property or land. England
You must control rabbits on your land in
this area. If this is not possible, you must stop them causing damage to adjoining for the Environment can enforce control
You can control rabbits by: 1 Gas 2 Traps and snares 3 Fencing 4 5
138 I PC APRIL/MAY 2016 1
You should use someone trained in the use of gassing products if you choose this method of
2
rabbit caught in a trap or snare.
You can use cage traps, drop box traps or spring traps, but you must: - check traps and snares once a day - humanely despatch any rabbits you catch - only use approved spring traps
You must not: - place them where they will be exposed to severe weather
- use self-locking snares
See Animal welfare and Animal welfare in severe
3
There are three types of fencing:
- You need Secretary of State agreement to put up fencing on Scheduled Monuments
- You should not put up fencing on archaeological sites
- Some wildlife habitats and species depend on rabbit grazing, so you should consider wildlife interests when deciding where to put up rabbit fencing
- You should install badger gates if the fence crosses any badger runs
4
You can send ferrets into the burrow system. The ferrets drive rabbits into nets, which are placed shoot them as they bolt from tunnel entrances.
5
If you are the occupier of land, you can shoot rabbits on your land during the day and can That person must be part of your household, one of control the rabbits.
A typical rabbit trap
does not agree to destroy the rabbits themselves, nor allow you to use extra shooters, you can apply to Natural England for authority to do so.
You can shoot rabbits at night only if you are: - a landlord/landlady who has reserved their
- an occupier, or one other person authorised
from neighbouring land, you should contact the the issue. If your neighbour fails to control them, you can
make a complaint to Natural England. If rabbits live on land owned by Network Rail,
Send ferrets into burrows
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