1st April 2026
Jarrod Hill, aged 59 of Pontarddulais, Swansea was given a 12 week sentence, suspended for 12 months, after illegally setting animal snares to capture foxes. Hill had claimed that the foxes were killing his ducks.
The snares were brought to the attention of Dyfed-Powys Police officers and Natural Resources Wales staff while conducting fishery compliance checks at White Springs Fishery on Friday, October 10 2025.
Following questioning at the scene, Hill admitted to being responsible for setting the snares to trap wild mammals.
Hill was issued with a warning around setting snares in 2022, however at that time setting snares was permitted, providing they were not used in locations such as hedges and fence lines.
The act of placing a snare of such a nature with the likely intent to cause bodily injury to a wild animal is now an offence under the Agricultural (Wales) Act 2023. Hill did not take notice of this warning and continued to use snares, even after it became an offence.
He was charged with illegally setting a snare to trap a wild mammal, which he pleaded guilty to at Llanelli Magistrates Court. He been sentenced to 12 week and suspended for 12 months.
Sergeant Paul Roberts of the Dyfed Powys Police Rural Crime Team said:
“Working closely with our partner agency, National Resources Wales, we welcome this outcome. Snares are a significant threat to wildlife, causing severe injuries and deaths.
“I’m proud we to have secured the first conviction of its kind in Wales; this case underscores our shared commitment to protecting wildlife and ensuring that those who breach these laws are held accountable.”
When these evil bastards are sentenced they should have the same done to them as they do to the animals, put their legs in snares and leave them to die.