S 872 Bans Cruel Traps in Public Spaces [2008]

Bill Description: If passed, this bill would ban the use of steel-jawed leghold traps, Conibear traps, and snares within 100 feet of nature preserves, hiking trails, and other public spaces. The traps also are banned within 500 feet of day care facilities and places of worship.
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Leghold and Conibear traps and snares are arbitrary and antiquated and they represent a threat to public safety. These devices cause immense suffering as the animals they capture may die of dehydration, starvation, or predation from other animals if the trapper fails to check the device soon after the animal stumbles into it. Furthermore, these devices are not species-selective. They are an indiscriminate killing method that sometimes catches and kills non-target animals, including family cats and dogs and endangered species. As a result, this bill will enhance public safety.