ILLEGAL snares were set up next to Bridge of Weir Primary School, ready to latch onto unsuspecting youngsters.

The traps were discovered by police to be set up on the grounds of the Gryffe Castle in June.

Schoolchildren who may have taken a shortcut through the grassy patch could have been seriously injured by becoming unwittingly tangled in the self-locking device.

Snares are also potentially fatal to animals with the results often seeing the legs or body impaled by the wire.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, free-running snares are legal throughout the UK, however self-locking snares like those found next to Bridge of Weir High School are illegal.

It is illegal to kill any domestic animal by such a method.

Under Section 10 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 it is an offence to fail to check a snare.

Snares must be inspected as soon after sunrise as is practicable and should again be inspected near dusk.

Inspector Cassie Glass said: ‘The illegal snares were found in various locations on the grounds of Gryffe Castle adjacent to Bridge of Weir Primary school over the course of a couple of days in early June.

“Illegal snares are self locking and illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife Order (Northern Ireland) 1985.

“The snares are extremely dangerous particularly to school children who may find them or actually get caught in them as they use the castle grounds as a short cut.

“They could also cause fatal consequences to any household pets who are wandering about in the area.

“The individuals setting such snares are totally irresponsible and I urge the public to name those involved.

“You can either call the non-emergency number on 101.

“You can alternatively phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 before someone gets seriously hurt or a household pet is fatally injured by one of these illegal snares.”