THE RSPCA was called following reports that a cat was snared in a wire trap at Chiseldon.

Officers from the charity, which is responsible for prosecuting animal cruelty cases, were unable to find evidence of the traps when they visited before the New Year.

It came after residents complained on Facebook about a cat killed on land near the sewage treatment works that is popular with dog walkers.

One man wrote: "To the barbaric person laying wire snares in the grass nature reserve on the bank above the tarmac road to the sewage works, you successfully caught a large domestic cat.

"Your motivation is beyond any normal person's understanding."

The RSPCA issued a strong rebuke to anyone considering using the banned snares, which are usually attached to a heavy anchor and used to catch foxes or rabbits.

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: “These wire traps cause unthinkable suffering to animals and while free-running snares can be legally used, self-locking snares - which tighten with a ratchet-like mechanism - are illegal.

“The RSPCA is opposed to the manufacture, sale and use of all snares and any traps which cause suffering.”

The charity advised anyone who finds an animal in a wire trap to call their 24-hour hotline, 0300 1234 999.