The U.K.-based Wildlife Aid Foundation was alerted to a few cases of foxes dying after getting stuck in horrible gin traps. Gin traps are mechanical traps designed to catch an animal by the leg using spring-operated jaws with serrated teeth. These inhumane traps have been illegal in the U.K. since 1958.
In this video, Simon, Sean, and Lucy were called to rescue a fox with one of these traps clamped on his front leg. Though he was injured and limping badly, the fox was quite feisty and severely bit one of the rescuer”s hands. The rescuers were able to help the fox and get the trap off, but this story does not have a happy ending.
Sadly, it is just not possible to amputate a front leg of a wild fox. The fox would die a long, slow death in the wild without a front leg (no ability to pounce on prey, dig, climb, etc). The animal rescue group can and would amputate a hind leg if they had to, but never a front leg.
If you live in the U.K. and ever see one of these barbaric traps, please call the police or your local Wildlife Center. There is 1000 reward for information leading to the successful conviction of individuals responsible for setting up illegal gin traps.