I don’t think its law Tim just in the code of conduct .Personally I’d rather a fox died in the snare than being stressed all night awaiting its fate but good old reason and effectiveness goes out the window when snowflakes effect the rules .
Many a time when setting in a fence line ,nobody would know it was there unless they were looking but these new setting rules means the fox is in the open ,stressed to feck and on show for all to see .
Free running snares are good on paper but I’ve seen plenty get out .I actually saw a fox get snared one evening years ago when hedgeline sets were the norm .It went crazy for a while then sat down totally relaxed .It then reversed back through the hedge and I guess this is when they get out of a relaxed free runner .This particular fox was unlucky that I was near and was despatched ASAP .