Bill Description:
Requires all body-gripping traps to either be completely submerged in water, have enclosures with smaller openings and larger recesses and previously legislated, or be placed at least 5 feet above the ground. All of these modifications are aimed at reducing the number of dogs being accidentally trapped. Additionally, if a pet is killed by an illegally set trap or snare, they would lose their trapping license for a minimum of 5 years. Gov. Mark Dayton has given his public support of the bill.[teaserbreak]
Background:
Born Free USA supports any restrictions placed on trapping, and some progress is better than none at all. So, while we support the steps this bill has taken, we hope to see greater restrictions proposed in future legislative sessions.
Trapping is a barbaric, antiquated form of hunting. Animals caught in traps suffer immensely from their injuries, long periods of distress, and ultimately die an excruciating death. Many even gnaw off their own limbs in an effort to escape, often dying of a painful infection days later. Archaic killing methods for trapped animals – such as suffocation, drowning and poisoning – are widely used today. Read more on our trapping page.
Many other animals are injured by traps or die as “collateral damage,” including endangered species and family pets. (See our Trapping Incidents Database for more information.) Even one such tragedy is too many, and these types of incidents are sadly all too common.
Read the full text and follow its progress here for the Senate version and here for the House version.