JUNE KERSHAW OF HAWORTH MOOR CAUGHT SETTING ILLEGAL SNARES THAT KILLED NEIGHBOUR'S CATS
| Red Rose Database
Haworth Animal Abuser
June Kershaw, a resident of Harbour Lodge Farm on Haworth Moor in Haworth, Keighley, was found guilty in 2023 of using illegal snare traps that resulted in the tragic deaths of two of her neighbour's pet cats. The case, prosecuted by the RSPCA, highlighted serious concerns about animal welfare violations committed on her moorland property, located at BD22 9RQ.
According to court records, Kershaw was convicted under the Animal Welfare Act for employing snares improperly, fully aware that such devices could cause unnecessary suffering to animals. The incident involved two cats, Marley, a Bengal/Savannah breed, and Frankie, a tabby, both belonging to her neighbor Richard Russell. These cats fell victim to her snares in April and July of 2021, respectively.
Kershaw maintained during the court proceedings that she checked her snares daily and that they had been set in the same locations every spring for over a decade. She claimed that the traps were primarily used to catch rabbits that attempted to steal vegetables from her garden, and she insisted that she had no intention of harming her neighbor’s cats.
However, the evidence presented painted a different picture. On April 26, 2021, Kershaw discovered Marley hanging from a snare trap on her property. She recounted to the court that she initially thought she was seeing a fox but was horrified to realize it was her neighbor’s cat. She described her reaction, saying, “I could have put it in a bin bag and put it in the bin but I never thought of that.” She further explained that she was too frightened of Richard Russell to inform him directly or to throw the animal over his fence, fearing he might have a tracker on the cat.
Police officers visited Kershaw’s residence on May 22, 2021, to review CCTV footage showing the incident involving Marley. When questioned by an RSPCA officer about the event, Kershaw responded dismissively, stating, “It is only a cat.”
The second cat, Frankie, was found caught in a snare on July 28, 2021, on Haworth Moor. The court also heard that in April 2019, another of Russell’s cats had previously died in a snare set on Kershaw’s land, which should have served as a warning. Prosecutor Charlotte Kenny emphasized that despite this prior incident, Kershaw continued to set her snares, raising questions about her awareness and responsibility.
Throughout the trial, Kershaw and her defense team claimed ignorance regarding her neighbor’s ownership of cats, a claim the magistrates ultimately rejected. The court’s verdict resulted in Kershaw being ordered to pay fines of £300 for each charge, along with prosecution costs totaling £1,300 and a victim surcharge of £34.
Following the sentencing, Luke Steele, the Executive Director of Wild Moors, issued a statement condemning the use of snares, emphasizing the suffering they cause to wildlife and pets alike. He called for landowners to take responsibility and for legislative action to ban snares entirely. An RSPCA spokesperson reiterated the organization’s opposition to the manufacture, sale, and use of all snares, citing their inability to distinguish between species and the suffering inflicted on unintended victims, including domestic pets.
This case underscores ongoing concerns about illegal trapping methods on rural lands and the urgent need for stricter regulations to protect both wildlife and domestic animals from cruel practices.
According to court records, Kershaw was convicted under the Animal Welfare Act for employing snares improperly, fully aware that such devices could cause unnecessary suffering to animals. The incident involved two cats, Marley, a Bengal/Savannah breed, and Frankie, a tabby, both belonging to her neighbor Richard Russell. These cats fell victim to her snares in April and July of 2021, respectively.
Kershaw maintained during the court proceedings that she checked her snares daily and that they had been set in the same locations every spring for over a decade. She claimed that the traps were primarily used to catch rabbits that attempted to steal vegetables from her garden, and she insisted that she had no intention of harming her neighbor’s cats.
However, the evidence presented painted a different picture. On April 26, 2021, Kershaw discovered Marley hanging from a snare trap on her property. She recounted to the court that she initially thought she was seeing a fox but was horrified to realize it was her neighbor’s cat. She described her reaction, saying, “I could have put it in a bin bag and put it in the bin but I never thought of that.” She further explained that she was too frightened of Richard Russell to inform him directly or to throw the animal over his fence, fearing he might have a tracker on the cat.
Police officers visited Kershaw’s residence on May 22, 2021, to review CCTV footage showing the incident involving Marley. When questioned by an RSPCA officer about the event, Kershaw responded dismissively, stating, “It is only a cat.”
The second cat, Frankie, was found caught in a snare on July 28, 2021, on Haworth Moor. The court also heard that in April 2019, another of Russell’s cats had previously died in a snare set on Kershaw’s land, which should have served as a warning. Prosecutor Charlotte Kenny emphasized that despite this prior incident, Kershaw continued to set her snares, raising questions about her awareness and responsibility.
Throughout the trial, Kershaw and her defense team claimed ignorance regarding her neighbor’s ownership of cats, a claim the magistrates ultimately rejected. The court’s verdict resulted in Kershaw being ordered to pay fines of £300 for each charge, along with prosecution costs totaling £1,300 and a victim surcharge of £34.
Following the sentencing, Luke Steele, the Executive Director of Wild Moors, issued a statement condemning the use of snares, emphasizing the suffering they cause to wildlife and pets alike. He called for landowners to take responsibility and for legislative action to ban snares entirely. An RSPCA spokesperson reiterated the organization’s opposition to the manufacture, sale, and use of all snares, citing their inability to distinguish between species and the suffering inflicted on unintended victims, including domestic pets.
This case underscores ongoing concerns about illegal trapping methods on rural lands and the urgent need for stricter regulations to protect both wildlife and domestic animals from cruel practices.