Police appeal after cat hurt in illegal trap

A cat has suffered serious injuries after apparently being caught in an illegal trap in Aberdeenshire.

Police say the incident is believed to have happened in the Ythanwells area, near Huntly, last Friday.

Officers said the cat was found with injuries consistent with having been caught in a snare trap, the use of which was outlawed in Scotland in 2024.

Appealing for information, Police Scotland said snares became illegal "partly due to the unnecessary suffering they cause not only to wildlife, but to domestic pets".

"This incident serves as proof of why these devices were banned," they added.