Washington, D.C. — Born Free USA announced its support for the introduction of the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act (H.R. 5560) in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Alma S. Adams (D-NC) and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY). This important bill would ban the import, export, and interstate commerce of barbaric steel-jaw leghold traps and Conibear body-gripping traps. H.R. 5560 was inspired by an incident in North Carolina, in which a 12-year-old boy playing near a neighborhood pond got his arm caught in a Conibear trap. It took a team of six doctors several hours to free him from the painful grip of this trap.[teaserbreak]
Born Free USA applauds and thanks Congresswoman Adams and Congresswoman Lowey for their leadership and urges the swift passage of the legislation to ensure that outdoor spaces are safe for the public, their pets, and wildlife.
According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA, “Leghold and Conibear traps are the two used most often in the U.S. trapping industry. They are horrific in their brutality. When triggered, these archaic devices slam shut on their victims with bone-crushing force. They are indiscriminate and cause massive pain and suffering not only to targeted wild animals, but also to endangered species, people’s pets, and even children. It is time for the U.S. to take significant steps to limit the barbaric impact of these two dangerous traps.”
“The preservation of human life and wildlife is a priority that lawmakers must take serious. We can no longer afford to disregard the ill-effects that animal cruelty has on our ecosystem and on us as well. Steel-jaw leghold and Conibear traps are body-gripping tools that are inhumane and archaic. They also pose unnecessary risks to humans, especially young children. That is why I am proud to introduce this important piece of legislation with my colleague, Congresswoman Nita Lowey,” said Congresswoman Adams.
Although Conibear and leghold traps are legal in North Carolina, their use is severely restricted or prohibited in several states. Importantly, the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act would not alter any state’s own policies on trapping. Instead, it would ensure that these two notoriously dangerous traps do not cross state lines, especially into states with bans already in place.
“Body-gripping traps are an archaic and indiscriminate method of catching wildlife,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “They cause tremendous suffering to animals and put humans at an unnecessary risk for injury. That is why I am proud to join Congresswoman Adams in introducing the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act. It is time for the United States to address the inherent cruelty of these devices and ban their use.”
Born Free USA asserts that animals and people should be able to enjoy the outdoor spaces of the U.S without the risk of being caught—and possibly killed—in an indiscriminate and painful trap. The organization urges other members of Congress to join Congresswoman Adams and Congresswoman Lowey in support of H.R. 5560.
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