Update: This bill died in the House Energy & Natural Resources Committee.
Bill description: The bill restricts body-gripping traps (including leghold traps and snares) and poisons across New Mexico. Untold numbers of New Mexico’s wildlife, people and companion animals have suffered from the unimaginable cruelty from virtually unregulated and hidden traps and poisons in New Mexico, and this bill honors the pride that New Mexicans take in their native wildlife as well as makes people and their pets safe.
[teaserbreak]
House Bill 579 does provide exemptions for human health and safety, scientific research, threatened and endangered species protection, and protection of public waterways. It also provides exemptions for protecting property, livestock or crops on private lands only, with a permit. Humane live cage traps in conjunction with humane/field euthanasia or permitted release of wildlife still can be used statewide.
HB 579 is sponsored by the Trap Free New Mexico Coalition, which consists of Born Free USA, WildEarth Guardians, Animal Protection of New Mexico and the Rio Grande chapter of the Sierra Club.