Bakery uses glue trap to catch kittens and birds
A TECHNIQUE commonly used to trap rats has caused serious injuries to other animals, said the SPCA.
A mynah and kittens were trapped on boards smeared with rat glue left outside a bakery in Tampines. In a post in citizen-journalism website, Stomp, it was reported that bread crumbs were used to lure birds and eventually trapping them.
The blogger who witnessed the incident said that the staff "laughed loudly as it tried to struggle free". She was also heard asking a male staff in Mandarin: "Are you sure it can't escape?"
| Kittens and birds caught in glue trap Click on thumbnail to view (Photos: Stomp) |
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According to the blogger, a friend confronted the staff and they were told that the bird kept returning to the bakery to peck at the crumbs on the floor.
The bird was then rescued by the blogger's friend who helped to free it by using cooking oil and cleaning the glue off its break and nostrils so that it could breathe.
A report was lodged with the Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES) and some members went down to help.
"They attempted to clean the glue off the bird with diluted nail polish remover and hand cream, but it was basically fruitless as the bird was very badly stuck", wrote the blogger.
The bird was eventually brought to a rescue centre in order for a vet to treat it. It is not known if the bird survived the ordeal.
A report was lodged with SPCA and according to them, this was not the only case of an animal being caught by a glue trap used by the bakery - kittens were also seriously injured in the past.
An SPCA spokesman said that a staff had arrived at the scene when informed by the caller and had taken photos as evidence of their investigation.
"For the record, the SPCA strongly objects to the use of glue board traps for any species and has previously written in to the authorities to ban them, but without success," said the spokesman in an email to Stomp.
Following feedback from members of the public two years ago, SPCA had written to NTUC Fairprice informing them of the suffering caused to animals in the process of using this device. They immediately removed the item from their stores.
Home-Fix DIY also took steps to stop the supply of glue board traps after SPCA advised them against the use of the product, as it inflicts pain and suffering to trapped animals. Since then, Home-Fix DIY pledged to remove the product from 21 stores and will not bring in any similar products in the future.
"There have also been other incidences reported to us over the years, in relation to glue board traps; we have followed up with advice to individuals/companies to refrain from using them," said SPCA.
SPCA also said that the staff at the bakery will be counselled.
"In this current case, we will be advising the staff of this bakery shop (and its head office) to stop employing this cruel method and to impress upon them that the suffering or abuse inflicted on a bird or any other species, is no laughing matter," said SPCA.
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