Four of the steel traps were found this week along Felltimber Creek, near Stableford Place, on a public easement, near the 10th tee of the SS&A Wodonga golf course.

On Sunday a passer-by noticed an ibis caught in one of the traps. The bird was taken to the vet and eventually had to be put down.

Two other traps were located before the fourth was found three days later.

It is not illegal to possess a rabbit trap in Victoria, except on Crown land.

But it is against the law to set or use one on urban land — that is, land not mainly used for agriculture.

“They are a potential risk to children or people wandering through,” Wodonga Acting Sgt Chris Grimmett said.

“And not only are they not meant to be on urban land, they must be approved devices with padding on the jaws but this one had none, just serrated edges.

“It could cause serious lacerations or a fracture to a human leg.”

Sgt Grimmett said the traps appeared to have been placed there a while ago.

“There was a fair bit of mud caked to them and they’d begun to rust,” he said.

A resident of Stableford Place, who did not wished to be named, said the area was regularly frequented by children.

“There are a lot of little children in Stableford Place now and it’s natural for kids to play in these areas,” she said.

“I think it’s such a low act.

“I’m quite outraged that any human being would think to put these traps where they were.”