Police probe into vicious animal traps hidden in popular Mirfield woods

Poppy, a black springer spaniel cross, suffered a nasty wound that needed stitches after the trap snapped shut on her front leg.

The incident happened in picturesque Hagg Wood in Lower Hopton, Mirfield, on Friday, September 4 and West Yorkshire Police have launched an investigation.

There have also been reports on social media of other people coming into contact with similar traps.

A horse rider told how her horse slipped on a path and kicked some leaves, activating a trap which snapped shut and spooked her mount.

The injury to Poppy is being investigated by West Yorkshire Police’s wildlife crime officer PC Caroline Newsome who told how Poppy suffered a “substantial wound” around the top of her front leg.

She needed stitches but is expected to make a full recovery.

The metal trap is suspected to be an illegal snare, something like an old-style gin trap which spring-loaded jaws. These traps have been illegal since 1958.

PC Newsome tweeted: “Poor Poppy’s walk was cut short when her owner heard her yelping in pain, bleeding from a nasty wound to her leg and caught in what was believed to be an illegally set trap.”

She appealed for anyone with information to ring police on 101 quoting Crime reference number 13200455895.

Mirfield Tory councillor Martyn Bolt said: “I hope anyone with information would tell the police.

“These traps are indiscriminate and this could have been a child.”

The owners of Hagg Wood have vowed to search for the traps and push for the prosecution of those responsible.