A West Footscray family is in shock after their pet cat was killed after allegedly becoming caught in an illegal steel jaw trap.
Nick Azidis told Star Weekly Stella had been missing for six days before being found on Sunday morning.
He said a couple living a few properties away had made the grisly discovery after hearing Stella’s faint cries for help.
They told Mr Azidis they entered the property to find Stella caught in one of a number of the steel jaw traps.
“They were old and rusty and they were pretty big traps,” he said.
The couple rushed Stella to the vet but her injuries were too great and she was unable to survive.
Mr Azidis said the couple confronted the property owner over the traps and that he initially admitted to laying them to catch rats and possums, but later denied having done so when informed of Stella’s death.
Mr Azidis said he is now struggling what to tell his two young children, aged four and seven, about the fate of their beloved pet.
He reported the owner of the property to the RSPCA and police on Monday morning.
RSPCA Victoria inspectorate manager Allie Jalbert said setting “these inhumane devices” is against the law and can carry huge fines and possible animal cruelty convictions.
“Unfortunately we are seeing hundreds of cases of animal cruelty each year in Victoria arising from the use of traps including steel jaw traps,” she said.
“It is illegal under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to set a steel jaw trap due to the potential they have to cause extreme injury, pain and suffering to animals.”
Ms Jalbert said many people do not know it is illegal to purchase the traps unless you can prove you are a museum or antiques collector.
“Just the act of setting a trap is a cruelty offence, regardless if it has caused injury to an animal or not.
“RSPCA Victoria does not tolerate the deliberate act of setting a steel jaw trap and will prosecute anyone found guilty of doing so if an official complaint is received via www.rspcavic.org or by telephoning 03 9224 2222.”
Offenders face up to 24 months in prison and fines of up to $75,000.
