BOBCATS - ABOUT LEG HOLD TRAPS
HORRIBLE FACTS ABOUT TRAPS
THE SCIENCE OF SUFFERING
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Bobcat Photos by Dick Randall Courtesy of The Humane Society of the U.S. |
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BOBCATS DIE IN LEGHOLD TRAPS
Dave Foreman's book, ECODEFENSE
has good tips on finding and disabling traps.
MESSAGE FOR HUNTERS/TRAPPERS
JUST HOW BACKWARD IS THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA?
About the BARBARIC LEGHOLD TRAP Top
The non-selective and highly destructive steel jaw leghold trap is the most common type of trap used on the millions of animals killed for their fur each year in the US. Victims suffer excruciating pain and fear as they tear ligaments and break teeth in their struggle to free themselves from the bone crushing trap. Animals suffer lacerations, broken bones, joint dislocations, and gangrene. As the animal struggles to get free, he/she sometimes chews off a leg to escape or breaks teeth by biting the metal trap. Trapped animals can suffer from thirst and starvation in addition to experiencing lacerations, broken bones, joint dislocations, and gangrene. They may die as a result of fatal wounds, blood loss, exposure to the elements,and/or predation. Animals still alive when the trapper checks the trapline are killed by bludgeoning or stomping or, less often, by strangulation or shooting.
Four million wild animals are killed in the United States each year by 160,000 part-time trappers supplying pelts to the fashion industry.
Half of all fur garments come from trapped animals. A decade ago the situation was even worse: seventeen million wild fur-bearing animals were killed by 300,000 trappers. Urban sprawl and the public's revulsion to trapping and wearing fur are responsible for the decline.
Leghold traps pose a threat to non-target animals.
Steel-jaw leghold traps are indiscriminate and can harm a wide range of wildlife and domestic animals. They catch any animal that triggers them, including family pets and protected species such as kit foxes, eagles, fishers, and wolverines. Animals who are inadvertently trapped are called "trash" animals by trappers. The majority of smaller animals (rabbits, squirrels, birds, etc.) unintentionally caught in traps die or must be destroyed because of serious, disabling injuries.
•The public opposes the use of steel-jaw leghold traps.
Polls consistently show strong public disapproval for the steel-jaw leghold trap and for trapping animals for fur.During the 1990s, voters in four states - Arizona, California, Colorado, and Massachusetts - succeeded in outlawing or severely restricting the use of these traps. The use of the steel-jaw leghold trap is also prohibited or restricted in Florida, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Leghold traps are banned in eighty-eight countries.
The European Union has banned the use of leghold traps in Europe and banned the importation of pelts from animals killed in leghold traps.
The European Union (EU) banned the use of the cruel and indiscriminate steel-jaw leghold trap in 1995. These regulations prohibit the use of steel-jaw leghold traps in the 15 member nations of the EU and prohibit the import of fur into the EU from those nations who had not prohibited use of leghold traps. The United States and other fur-exporting countries were given notice that as of January 1, 1996, furs and fur products from thirteen commonly trapped and traded species would not be accepted for import into the EU unless the exporting country had banned the use of steel-jaw leghold trapsor adopted internationally agreed-upon humane trapping methods.
Banning steel-jaw leghold traps will satisfy U.S. Trade Agreements.
As a result of the EU ban, the U.S. Trade Representative signed an agreement with the European Commission in which the U.S. agreed to phase out land use of conventional steel-jaw leghold traps. Passage of this legislation will satisfy the nation’s obligation under this trade agreement.
Veterinary groups oppose leghold traps.
The steel-jaw leghold trap has been declared “inhumane” by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the World Veterinary Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association.
Federal Legislation Aimed at Restricting the Use of Leghold Traps
H.R. 1581, introduced by Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY), and S. 1006, introduced by Senator Robert Torricelli (D-NJ), will prohibit interstate commerce in steel-jaw leghold traps and fur caught with these cruel devices. While this would not entirely stop all use of the leg hold trap, it would reduce it's use dramatically.
Leghold Trap legislation FAQ's Top
If this legislation is passed, will trapping for fur end?
No. Trappers use a variety of traps to capture and kill fur-bearing mammals for profit, including Conibear® body-gripping traps, cage and box traps, and snares. Trappers may continue to use those traps and sell pelts taken with those traps in interstate commerce, as state laws allow.
How will H.R. 1581 and S. 1006 be enforced?
The Secretary of the Interior will be responsible for promulgating regulations necessary to enforce the law. In addition, the U.S. Customs Service will be responsible for enforcement of the law’s import/export provisions. H.R. 1581 and S. 1006 provide for a reward to any person who furnishes information that leads to the conviction of a violator. Rewards shall be equal to one half of the fine paid pursuant to the conviction.
What costs will be associated with this law?
Neither H.R. 1581 nor S. 1006 authorize any new appropriations. Enforcement costs will be borne by existing federal enforcement programs.
What will happen to steel-jaw leghold traps currently owned by trappers?
The proposed legislation does not prohibit the possession or use of steel-jaw leghold traps. However, it does prohibit interstate commerce in pelts taken with these traps. As a result, trappers intending to sell pelts may not use the steel-jaw leghold trap. However, trappers who do not intend to sell pelts—including those who remove animals to protect public health and safety, livestock, crops, property, or threatened and endangered species—may continue to use their steel-jaw leghold traps.
Will steel-jaw leghold traps still be available for sale?
No. The prohibition on interstate commerce in steel-jaw leghold traps will make it illegal to buy or sell new or old steel-jaw leghold traps. Although currently owned steel-jaw leghold traps could still be used for non-commercial purposes (as mentioned above) it is hoped that they will be phased out as trappers become unable to restock with new steel-jaw leghold traps.
How will this law affect federal trapping programs?
Since federally-employed trappers, primarily those employed or contracted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program, do not trap animals for their pelts, they may continue using the 30,000 steel-jaw leghold traps currently owned by the agency. The prohibition on interstate commerce in steel-jaw leghold traps will prevent federal trappers from purchasing new steel-jaw leghold traps.
Will the federal legislation affect a state’s traditional right to manage its wildlife?
The proposed legislation will have no effect on any state’s decisions about trapping. States will still have the right to decide such matters as which animals can be trapped, what bag limits to set, the length of trapping seasons, or how to license trappers.
WHAT YOU CAN DO Top
#1. Boycott Fur! Visit Facts & Myths About Fur
Refuse to buy any item containing fur, and explain the reasons for your decision to family, friends, and co-workers.
Tell Victoria Secret to get the fur out of their new fall catalogue.
Patricia Mclaughlin, the Fashion Editor of the Philadelpha Inquirer Magazine is promoting fur and the fur trade.
Contact Jacques Ferber Furs Management
1708 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA (215) 735-4173
Let them know that you are outraged by their direct affiliation with the murderous, torturous fur trade.
Join CAFT which sponsors weekly peaceful protests at Jacques Ferber Furs and welcome new members.
Boycott Macy's - What's Wrong With Macy's?
Let Macy's know what you think of fur at 1-800-264-0069.
Boycott Neiman Marcus
Working for a Fur-Free Neiman Marcus
Boycott Burlington Coat Factory
Burlington Coat Factory had been selling coats trimmed with fur from dogs in China.
#2.Email/Write/Call/Fax your Sentor and Representative
Ask them to co-sponsor the bill to ban leghold traps and to give it their full support when it comes to the House or Senate floor for a vote. You can find your legislators by zip code or contact your legislators' offices by calling the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
#3. Send a letter to your local newspaper.
See Sample Letter
Be sure to include your name, address and phone number.
#4. Email the Philadelpia Inquirer
#5. Email/Write/Fax/Call Representative
Nita Lowey and Senator Robert Torricelli to thank them for sponsoring this important legislation.
SAMPLE LETTER BANNING LEGHOLD TRAPS Top
Dear
The leghold trap is a barbaric device banned in over 88 countries as well as in many states including Arizona, Florida, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. For centuries, these archaic and brutal devices have remained unchanged, and they continue to inflict horrible suffering and agonizing death for over ten million fur-bearing animals every year in the United States. Although the American Veterinary Medical Association has issued a statement condemning the leghold trap as inhumane, and a Yale University survey showed that 78% of the public are opposed to this method of trapping, theUnited States has failed to legislate against it's use.
The intense pain inflicted on animals by leghold traps causes them to gnaw their teeth to the jawbone or chew off their own feet in an attempt to escape the trap's clutches. If they do manage to free themselves, animals die of blood loss, infection, or predation. The less fortunate ones will languish for days or even weeks subjected to thirst, hunger, exposure to extreme temperatures and attacks by predators. Some states require trappers to check their traps no more often than every 48 or 72 hours, and other states impose no time limit at all. If these animals are still alive when trappers finally do arrive, they are usually killed by being shot, clubbed or stomped to death. Since these traps are non-selective, they maim and kill threatened and endangered species, raptors, deer, livestock, and companion animals such as dogs and cats. Referred to as "trash" animals by trappers who place no financial value on them, these unintended victims are disposed of to avoid arousing further public outrage. Even small children have had a hand or a foot caught by these indiscriminate devices.
To change current law and add the U.S. to the list of countries banning leghold-type devices, Senator Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) and Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) have re-introduced their bills to ban the use of conventional steel jaw leghold traps. The legislation (S. 1006/H.R. 1581) also bans the commerce in furs obtained from conventional leghold traps. I urge you to support this long overdue legislation.
Sincerely yours,
MISC Top
US House of Representatives Opposes Leghold Traps
In a landmark vote, the full US House of Representatives banned the use of steeljaw leghold traps and strangling snares for recreational and commercial fur trapping on all National Wildlife Refuges. Representative Sam Farr (D, CA) sponsored the amendment to the US Department of Interior Appropriations bill which passed by a vote of 259 to 166.
Speaking in support of his amendment, Representative Farr noted that "According to a May, 1999 poll, 84 percent of Americans oppose the use of steel jawed traps in national wildlife refuges ... These traps are designed to slam closed and grip tightly an animal's leg or other body part. Lacerations, broken bones, joint dislocations and gangrene can result. Additional injuries result as the animal struggles to free himself, sometimes twisting or chewing off a leg or breaking teeth from gnawing at the metal jaws... An animal may be in a trap for several days before a trapper checks it – with the interminable period in the trap severely compounding the animal's misery."
Representative Edward Whitfield (R, KY) added, "Wildlife refuges were created for the express purpose of benefiting and protecting animals, and it seems quite to the contrary that we allow in our national wildlife refuges this type of activity that is so inhumane."
"...I have heard from the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the World Veterinary Association: and they all agree that steel-jawed leghold traps are inhumane," stated Representative Connie Morella (R, MD). "The pain and suffering caused by steel-jawed leghod traps are incalculable. I think it is irresponsible to continue barbaric practices with so many less cruel methods of trapping for capturing wild animals that are available today."
An identical amendment to Representative Farr's will be offered by Senator Robert Torricelli (D, NJ) when the Interior Appropriations bill is considered on the floor of the Senate after Congress reconvenes in September.
Humane Society of the United States | Today's News | STEEL-JAW LEGHOLD
Animals November, 1999 Steel - Jaw Leghold Trap Fact Sheet More
...and indiscriminate steel-jaw leghold trap in 1995.
The World Trade Organization and Animals Steel - Jaw Leghold Trap Fact Sheet
The European Union (EU) banned the use of the cruel and indiscriminate steel-jaw leghold trap in 1995. The United States and other fur-exporting countries were given notice that as of January 1, 1996, furs and fur products from thirteen commonly trapped and traded species would not be accepted for import into the EU unless the exporting country had banned the use of steel-jaw leghold traps or adopted internationally agreed-upon humane trapping methods.