Countryfile viewers rip into ‘barbaric’ animal cruelty scenes – fuming ‘how does the BBC justify this?’
COUNTRYFILE fans were left absolutely furious at the latest episode of the BBC show over its "unjustifiable" animal cruelty.
The BBC One programme often receives backlash over its content and portrayal of rural living.
Fans of the show were left shocked and dismayed when the BBC showcased a story on snaring as an effective countryside practice.
Snaring involves the deliberate and targeted capturing of a certain animal by placing a metal trap to capture the creature by its neck and or legs.
The episode focused on snaring foxes - a practice legal in England and Scotland but banned in Wales for its inhumane nature.
Despite the Welsh ruling and decision last month, Countryfile appeared to advocate for the practice as they shared stories on how snaring could be used for the monitoring and capture of foxes leaving viewers outraged.
Read More on Countryfile
One fan said online of the "barbaric" episode: "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."
Another penned: "Dr Mike Swan, as seen on #countryfile this evening. No conflict of interest of course, but Mike enjoys hunting & killing many species (and not because they predate on curlews) & he runs his own shoot.
Most read in News TV
"Oh and snares will NEVER be 'humane cable restraints'. Don't be like Mike"
While a third said: "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."
It came as viewers of the show were initially left unhappy at the delayed start to the episode as a result of the Wimbledon coverage.
They were left furious after the programme was moved back by 30 minutes - and then were fuming further at the show's content.
The BBC One programme usually airs every Sunday from 7pm but was changed to accommodate the men's final which resulted in No1 seed Carlos Alcaraz taking on seven-time champ Novak Djokovic on Centre Court.
At around 7pm Alcaraz sealed his first Wimbledon title in epic fashion against defending champion Djokovic.
Then BBC Weekend News aired at 7.10pm, followed by BBC Weather at 7.25pm.
Fans weren't happy that they had to wait for their weekly instalment of the show.
One said on Twitter: "Why even bother putting #countryfile on after Wimbledon, it's always running late, should have moved it to BBC2."
"f**k the news, get on with it #countryfile," another chimed in on the social media platform.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Hours before the show was even supposed to start, many predicted that it wouldn't air on time.
A third said: "Based on the last two sets I hope nobody wants to watch Countryfile later."
