Washington, D.C. — Today, Born Free USA announced its support for the reintroduction this week of the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act (H.R. 1629) 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 steel-jaw leghold traps and Conibear body-gripping traps. It comes as a result of a 2015 accident in North Carolina, in which a 12-year-old boy got his arm caught in a Conibear trap set near a neighborhood pond. It took six doctors several hours to free him from the trap.[teaserbreak]
According to Jennifer Place, Program Associate for Born Free USA, “We applaud and thank Congresswoman Adams and Congresswoman Lowey for their leadership on this legislation and urge its swift passage. Steel-jaw leghold traps and Conibear traps are archaic, indiscriminate, and horrific in their brutality. When triggered, they slam shut on their victims with bone-crushing force, causing massive pain and suffering not only to targeted wild animals, but also to endangered species, people’s pets, and children.”
Congresswoman Alma S. Adams said, “We can no longer afford to disregard the dangerous effects that antiquated body-gripping traps have on wildlife, pets, and people. These violent traps negatively impact our ecosystem and pose unnecessary risks to humans, especially young children. I am proud to introduce this important piece of legislation with my colleague, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, to protect our wildlife and our communities.”
“It is time to make dangerous body-gripping traps a thing of the past,” Congresswoman Lowey said. “These archaic, indiscriminately violent devices pose a serious threat to wild animals, pets, and people, and they must be banned in the United States. I am proud to stand with Congresswoman Adams in the fight to protect our ecosystems and our communities from these cruel and unnecessary traps.”
Although Conibear and leghold traps are legal in North Carolina, their use is severely restricted or prohibited in several states. While the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act would not alter any state’s own policies on trapping, it would ensure that these two notoriously dangerous traps do not cross state lines, especially into states with bans already in place.
“Last month, a young man injured his arm in a Conibear trap illegally set near a playground in Chesterton, Indiana,” Place added. “It is clear that these traps not only endanger wildlife, but also compromise public safety. The Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act will ensure that animals and people are able to enjoy our magnificent outdoor spaces without the risk of being caught—and possibly killed—in an indiscriminate and painful trap.”
Born Free USA encourages other members of Congress to join Representatives Adams and Lowey in support of H.R. 1629.
About 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 UK-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, publicrelations@bornfreeusa.org, (203) 270-8929