downsmail.co.uk


Warning after cat gets caught in lethal snare


CHARLIE the cat has used up one of his nine lives after running head-long into a snare in a garden in Snodland. The black and white tomcat


made his way home to Freelands Road, draped in the wire and bungee strap contraption during the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday. His owner, John Peckham, had


the job of “unravelling” his beloved 14-year-old pet from the wire snare, which was wrapped around his neck and front leg. Mr Peckham, a retired architect,


said: “I wondered what on earth it was. At first it looked like some- thing off a roof rack or an exhibit fromthe BlackMuseum. “These are incredibly dangerous


contraptions used for whatever purpose I just can’t imagine, and it took some manoeuvring to get it off. “Charlie is extremely lucky to be


here. Fortunately, the snare had not cut into his skin, but thewire could


wildlife can become trapped, maimed or killed.” He contacted the police and also


the RSPCA,which sent an officer to his home. A spokesman for the organisa-


tion said: “These traps can pose a danger to both wild and domestic animals and sadly we do see cats trapped and severely injured by them. “We are opposed to the manu-


facture, sale and use of all snares and any traps which cause suffer- ing. It is an offence to injure a non- target species with these traps and sadly this can happen, often result- ing in significant and devastating injuries. “Anyone found guilty of illegally


John Peckhamwith cat Charlie and the bungee “snare”


have taken his head or leg off if he wasn’t such a relaxed character. “These things should not be


placed anywhere where domestic animals, or, indeed, unsuspecting


setting a snare faces a maximum £5,000 fine and/or six months in prison. “If anyone finds an animalwhich


has been injured by one of these traps, or is aware of any illegally set snare traps, please contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.”


News


Death after denture slip


ANinquest has been heard into the death of an 81-year-old man from Snodland who died after swallow- ing his false teeth. Thomas Watkins was eating a


meal in Snodland onApril 21when he swallowed his dentures.Hewas taken to Maidstone Hospital, but an X-ray and tests failed to detect the teeth and hewas sent home. Six days later, the retired insur-


ance and pensions adviser, from Ley Farm Barn, was admitted to Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Pem- bury, where the dentures were spotted inside his body and he un- derwent surgery. However, Mr Watkins died due to a stroke two days later, onMay 1. Following the inquest onMay 23


at The Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone,NorthWestKent senior coroner RogerHatch came to a ver- dict of death bymisadventure. A spokesman for Maidstone


Hospital did notwish to comment, saying only: “Wewere not asked to take part in the inquest.We would have been were it felt there were any questions that needed answers fromus or any explanation for our actions.”


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