Family pets have suffered bone fractures and ligament damage, sometimes resulting in lost limbs, after getting caught in illegal animal traps.
The cruel traps are designed to cause serious damage to the animals caught in them, prompting a reminder from RSPCA Victoria that they should not be used under any circumstances.
No matter what type of animal a user is trying to trap, leg hold traps are illegal, inhumane and cause extreme pain and suffering for anything caught in them, the RSPCA's Belinda Dent says.
"Too many times we have seen beloved family pets suffer excruciating pain and distress and it's not uncommon for these injuries to necessitate amputation of an entire limb," the inspectorate team leader said.
Not only is using serrated steel traps illegal, but so too is setting and selling them unless they fall into a permitted category.
"You may come across these traps during a clean out of a shed or property and think selling them is harmless, but they cause real damage to domestic animals in our community and as a seller you are liable," Ms Dent said.
Anyone convicted of using, setting or selling the illegal traps faces up to two years behind bars or a fine of more than $43,000.
