A Sunderland wildlife charity has renewed its call for a complete ban on the sale of glue traps after rescuing a magpie that became stuck on a device where a rat had already died. Pawz for Thought described the traps as 'cruel and barbaric' following an incident in Peterlee, County Durham.
Magpie rescue highlights ongoing issue
The charity found the magpie, later named Mike, stuck by its feathers and desperately struggling to free itself. The bird was dragging a dead rat pup, which had succumbed to a slow death on the same trap, baited with cheese. In total, seven glue traps were discovered at the property.
Lorraine Thornton, of Pawz for Thought, said: 'The traps found in Peterlee measure approximately 30 centimetres in length and had been baited with cheese. Why would anyone place large, baited adhesive traps outdoors to catch insects? The reality is that these products are still being used to catch rodents, despite the legal restrictions.'
Legal loophole exploited
Glue traps have been illegal for public use since 2024 under the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022, following campaigns arguing they are unnecessary and inhumane. They can only be used by licensed professional pest controllers as a last resort. However, there is no law preventing the sale and use of glue traps intended for insects within homes.
Thornton noted that the homeowner was unaware of the ban, having purchased the traps on Amazon. The homeowner assumed they were legal because they were readily available online.
Amazon responds
An Amazon spokesperson said: 'Amazon strictly prohibits the sale of glue traps intended for vertebrates (including rodents) in compliance with the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022, and we have robust controls in place to detect and remove such products from our platform.' The company maintains that glue traps sold on its site are not intended for use on vertebrates.
Charity sees wider impact
Pawz for Thought has previously rescued hedgehogs, squirrels, and even cats from glue traps, which Thornton describes as 'indiscriminate'. She called for 'serious questions' to be asked about the continued availability of these products.
Happy ending for Mike the Magpie
Fortunately, Mike survived after multiple oil baths where volunteers carefully washed the glue from his feathers. He remains in recovery, receiving plenty of snacks. The charity hopes his story will raise awareness and lead to stricter regulations on glue trap sales.
