SPCA eyes charges over gin trap

The Australasian harrier hawk was found in the gin trap on Thursday evening in Matangi, west of Hamilton. Photo / Supplied

A poultry farmer could face charges after a predatory bird was maimed in a trap on which the Government has placed strict limitations.

An Australasian harrier hawk, with a wingspan of about a metre, was found in a gin trap by a neighbour of the farmer in Matangi, west of Hamilton.

Matangi resident Alan Smith said he found the bird in great distress on Thursday evening.

"The bird was born in our paddock, and has stayed for three years, while we've watch it grow up. To see this happen, I was bloody furious."

SPCA officers could not remove the trap on site, and had to take the harrier, part of the fence and the trap away to free its leg.

The farmer was believed to be using the trap to protect his animals.

Gin traps were outlawed under the Animal Welfare Act in 2007 because of the inhumane way in which they capture animals, and the risk they posed to domestic animals and native birds.

The traps snare animals by crushing their legs between two metal jaws. Animals that survive often face amputation or euthanasia.

An SPCA Hamilton manager said the organisation was concerned about the use of the metal trap in the bird's capture.

Inspectors will investigate the circumstances of the trapping before deciding whether to lay charges.

Exemptions in the act allow for gin traps to be used if they are more than 150 metres from a dwelling, unlikely to catch domestic animals, and smaller than 13.5cm when open.

Traps must also be inspected within 12 hours of sunrise each day that they are set.

Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust manager Debbie Stewart said it was legal for a farmer to kill a harrier if the bird was preying on its stock.

The birds are not endangered or fully protected by law.

But she said harriers very rarely attacked chickens and the farmer could have easily dissuaded it or fed it instead of trapping it.

Animal cruelty charges can lead to fines of up to $50,000 or five years in prison.