Countryfile viewers slam show for airing animal cruelty

Countryfile viewers have accused the BBC show of including animal cruelty, slamming scenes of rural life as "barbaric".

The episode, shown on Sunday evening, included a segment about the use of snares in capturing foxes and other wildlife where a metal trap closes on the animal's neck or legs.

It is a controversial practice that has been banned in Wales, but is still legal in England and Scotland – and viewers of the BBC One show about country life were outraged to see guests discussing it as an effective way of protecting game from predators.

One viewer tweeted: "A farmer justifying snaring foxes to protect the business/sport of shooting for fun. Well done Wales in leading the way in banning snares. Snares are barbaric and indiscriminate. Scotland and England must follow suit."

Another person agreed: "VERY regrettable narrative yet again from #countryfile trying to justify #snares @BBCCountryfile to protect the shooting industry. A farmer justifying snaring foxes to protect the business/sport of shooting. Snares are barbaric and indiscriminate. Just congrats to Wales needed."

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Someone else replied to them: "Long since gave up watching countryfile as hatred of wildlife seems to permeate far too many episodes."

Although the episode also included arguments against using snares and viewers were warned about potentially distressing content, some were still angry as one person tweeted: "There is NO justification for causing an animal to suffer. No animal should be caught by a snare, oops sorry silly me, a 'humane cable restraint', left to struggle to exhaustion in fear, and either die in pain and stress, or manhandled and shot. Absolutely sick."

Another person commented: "'I’ve had to sit for hours and hours before I see a fox to shoot.' They’re hardly overrun with them then are they? But hey ho, let’s set some snares to randomly horribly harm and maim wild creatures."

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Someone else added: "B******s to @GWCT #countryfile. Curlew and foxes have co-existed for millenia. You don't give a flying fart about wildlife only game. You're pathetic."

Another viewer slammed the programme too, writing: "Typical. @BBCCountryfile condoning the use of snares for foxes. Absolutely shocking. @BBC is a disgrace."

A BBC spokesperson said: "A segment in Sunday’s episode explored the impact of banning snares and reflected both sides of the debate surrounding the controversial practice.

"Viewers were clearly warned in advance by the presenter that they may find some of the images distressing and the images of wounds were blurred."