Adhesive mouse traps which use glue to slowly inflict fatal injuries are still being sold at discount shops throughout Australia, according to an animal rights group.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia told the ABC chain store Cheap as Chips had agreed to cease sales of glue-based mouse traps.
However, the company has not confirmed whether the product has been taken off the shelves.
PETA said it contacted the Adelaide-based business — which operates 42 shops across South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales — after a concerned customer noticed the traps on sale in SA.
The traps use strong adhesives to stick to the mice, but often capture other animals including frogs, reptiles and birds.
"Stuck in a glue trap, panicked animals … endure immense and prolonged suffering as they struggle to escape, often languishing for days before dying in excruciating ways, including from exhaustion, injury, shock, dehydration, asphyxiation, or blood loss," PETA said.
"Trapped animals can even suffocate if their faces become stuck."
PETA spokesperson Emily Rice said a 2008 review of animal cruelty laws in Victoria described the traps as "one of the most barbaric options".
The traps are already banned from public sale in the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania and Victoria, while other retailers including Bunnings, Mitre 10, Big W and Target had agreed to stop selling them.
However, Ms Rice said they remained available at some discount outlets, and urged state governments to outlaw them.
"Sadly they are still available in a range of stores … we're engaged with about three of the major discount variety stores at the moment," she said.
"The main concern seems to be discount variety stores.
"At so-called dollar shops, we tend to find them there and we're actively engaging with those people privately and trying to get them to make a policy."
Ms Rice said there were humane traps available, but also recommended home-based changes to lessen the need for traps.
"You can reduce the amount of waste in your house, you can close entry points off," she said.
The ABC has contacted Cheap as Chips for comment.
