Repeal use of animal traps

The archaic hunting device, leg-hold traps, are still used by hunters to capture, skin and sell the pelts from fur-bearing mammals. Thankfully, New Jersey legislators acknowledged the egregious cruelty and public opposition, and in 1984 banned them in New Jersey.

The state's Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) is propagandizing a new version of the illegal leg-hold trap as being improved and humane. However, the similarities remain. These modified traps still slam shut on animals’ limbs, exert excruciating force, and cause protracted suffering.

Aside from maimed bodies, animals are deprived of water, food, are subjected to the elements, and are unable to defend themselves against predators. When hunters check their traps, should the animals be alive, their heads are bludgeoned, they are strangled, or if near water, are drowned. Undoubtedly, most of the trapped animals who manage to chew off their own body parts to escape, die afterwards, weakened from the trauma, infections or predation.

While the DFW also claims these traps have improved species specificity, its use for nuisance urban wildlife control increases the risk of inadvertently capturing, maiming or killing beloved pets.

Please contact your senator to vote YES on SCR 175 to repeal the DFW’s approval of these primitive, cruel, inhumane foot/leg-hold traps.

We must aggressively advocate for the humane treatment of animals. United, we will make our values and priorities clear to our legislators. As Thomas Jefferson wrote, “when the people lead, the leaders will follow.”

Janet Piszar
Founder, Public Trust wildlife Management