Born Free USA applauds the introduction of the Public Safety & Wildlife Protection Act (H.R. 8828). Introduced on Wednesday, December 2, by Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC) and Nita Lowey (D-NY), this bill would ban the import, export, and interstate commerce of steel-jawed leghold traps and Conibear body-gripping traps.
Each year, millions of fur-bearing animals are caught in traps, killed in the name of “nuisance” wildlife control or for their fur. Once trapped, the animals can languish in pain for hours or even days before dying slowly of drowning, predation, exposure, shock, injury, or blood loss. In addition to the danger posed to the targeted wild animals, trapping is also dangerous for non-targeted wildlife, companion animals, and even people.
The Public Safety & Wildlife Protection Act would limit the scope of the two most widely-used traps in the United States: steel-jawed leghold traps and Conibear body-gripping traps. Currently, trapping is largely regulated by state fish and wildlife agencies, creating a patchwork of state regulations that run the gamut from virtually nonexistent to full bans. By banning interstate commercial trade, this bill would also reinforce state trapping regulations that restrict or ban the use of these two types of traps.
Angela Grimes, CEO of Born Free USA, says, “Without a doubt, trapping is dangerous, indiscriminate, and barbarically cruel. Leghold and Conibear traps are the two most used in the U.S., and they cause massive suffering not only to targeted wild animals, but also to endangered species, beloved pets, and even children. Preliminary, ongoing research conducted by Born Free USA has indicated it is startlingly easy to purchase traps over the internet, bypassing trapping education courses and other state trapping regulations. It is important to take significant steps to limit the impact and spread of these traps.”
Work to end trapping in the United States is one of Born Free USA’s bedrock animal protection campaigns. Born Free USA urges Congress to move swiftly to pass this important bill, for the sake of animal welfare and public safety.
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