More than 100 leg-hold traps have been discovered in a popular Invercargill reserve, prompting warnings from council that people and animals could be seriously harmed.
Invercargill City Council manager of parks and recreation Caroline Rain said staff were alerted to the presence of the traps at Sandy Point by a member of the public on Tuesday.
“Our rangers acted quickly and, on searching, retrieved more than 100 traps over a large area following the report.”
Rain said the council was “extremely disappointed” to see the traps put in a public place where it could endanger visitors, including young children and dogs.
“Leg-hold traps can cause serious harm to pets and people.”
Trapping was not illegal but was not permitted in recreation reserves administered by Invercargill City Council, she said.
“As the local authority responsible for Sandy Point Domain, Council is able to remove the traps and may return them to their owner if they wish to collect them.”
The team would continue to check the area to make sure no traps remained, Rain said.
“The public are advised to report any leg-hold traps in parks and reserves to Council immediately, without attempting to set them off or remove them.”
Sandy Point was a popular destination for walkers, dog-walkers, and horse-riders.
