Washington, D.C. — Last week near Casper, Wyoming, three dogs from the same family were killed by traps set out for wildlife. Born Free USA, a global leader in wildlife conservation and animal welfare, reports that this tragedy is far too common around the country. According to the organization’s online non-target trapping incident database, three other pet dogs have been caught in traps in Wyoming this year, adding to the hundreds of thousands of unintended trapping deaths and injuries across the United States. [teaserbreak]
Snare traps that killed the three St. Bernard dogs were legal, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Wyoming has a grade of D+ on Born Free USA’s State Trapping Report Card, which gives an academic letter grade to each state based on its animal trapping regulations that have the greatest impact on animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and public safety.
According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA, “This senseless incident is a disturbing example of how nonselective these deadly traps are. We have seen time and time again what happens when people set these traps for wild animals. They catch, maim, torture, and kill not only wild animals like coyotes, fox, raccoons, and mink to feed the fur industry, but also domestic animals—people’s beloved companion dogs and cats. Trapping is indiscriminate and cruel to animals, and a very serious public safety and conservation issue. I continue to be mystified as to how this antiquated cruelty can happen in America as we approach 2015.”
Trapping is largely unregulated across the United States. Roberts adds, “Fur trapping dates back to the early 1600s and has hardly changed. It remains barbaric, and many people are not even aware that this is happening in neighborhoods with pets and children.”
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation” — the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, therodicompany@gmail.com