RSPCA The fox had to be put down because of its injuries

The sight of a young fox gripped by the lethal teeth of this rusty “gin trap” has shocked RSPCA inspectors. After dragging the illegal trap clenched to its leg through gardens and over fences and bushes, the animal was so badly injured that it had to be put to sleep.

RSPCA The sight of the fox dragging the illegal trap behind it was distressing even for the RSPCA

The RSPCA fears whoever set the gruesome contraption has also laid other traps to catch wildlife around the Coulsdon area of south London.

It was so distressing to see the fox trying to get away dragging around this monstrous contraption RSPCA inspector Lucy Chillery

RSPCA inspector Lucy Chillery said: “It was so distressing to see the fox trying to get away dragging around this monstrous contraption. I don’t know how long the poor fox had been suffering trying to escape from this trap. It must have been in complete agony. “The person who set it certainly has no concern about animal welfare. Due to heavy rain recently it is likely that the fox managed to pull the pin out of the ground and run away into local gardens.” Gin traps look like something out a Medieval torture chamber. They have fearsome toothed jaws and grasp an animal’s leg, causing severe injuries but without killing it outright.

GETTY Gin traps are illegal in the UK

Anyone caught using them faces a £20,000 fine and six months in prison for causing unnecessary suffering as well as facing punishment under the Wildlife and Countryside Act for using a banned trap. RSPCA inspector Chillery added: “It is so sad, and absolutely disgusting that this kind of trap is being used in this day and age. They are not set to kill, they are designed to maim and they are brutal and are so cruel their use has been banned since 1958.

GETTY The RSPCA fear there are more traps set over South London by the animal hating maniac