Post mortem research

Thank you for taking part in the post mortem survey.

The objective of the post mortem study is to improve current knowledge of the physical injuries inflicted by snares used in the UK . The Snaring Survey is calling on veterinary surgeons to voluntarily undertake autopsies on animals that have died, or been euthanised, due to injuries sustained in snares, in order to catalogue injuries and determine the probable cause of death. 

Vets are asked to describe any lesions or other pathology they consider to have resulted from time spent in a snare, together with estimations of probable duration of pathological changes.

Typical snaring injuries include bruising; friction wounds; self inflicted bites and scratches; dislocation; amputation; loss of blood supply; nerve, muscle and joint damage; and inflammation. Thirst, hunger and exposure may be contributing factors. (Report of the Independent Working Group on Snares, 2005, section 2.6).

A template post mortem form with guidance notes can be downloaded here. If you have any questions, please contact us and we will be pleased to put you in touch with our veterinary advisor.

Download the post-mortem report (PDF)

Download the post-mortem report (Word)