A new bill introduced to the U.S. Congress by representative Nita Lowey of New York would essentially ban trapping in all National Wildlife Refuges in the country. The bill, referred to as the “Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act” states that it would ban body-gripping traps, but when you actually read the legislation, it would ban all but live cage-type traps.
See for yourself:
A BILL
To end the use of body-gripping traps in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act’.
SEC. 2. POSSESSION OR USE OF BODY-GRIPPING TRAP PROHIBITED.
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`SEC. 6. POSSESSION OR USE OF BODY-GRIPPING TRAP PROHIBITED.
`(a) In General- No person may possess or use a body-gripping trap in the System.
`(b) Enforcement Provisions- Notwithstanding section 4(f), a person who possesses or uses a body-gripping trap in the System shall be subject to the following:
`(1) In the case of a first offense, a civil fine of not more than $500 imposed by the Secretary for each body-gripping trap possessed or used.
`(2) In the case of a subsequent offense–
`(A) a civil fine of not more than $1000 imposed by the Secretary for each body-gripping trap possessed or used;
`(B) imprisonment for not more than 180 days; or
`(C) both a civil fine and imprisonment in accordance with subparagraphs (A) and (B).
`(c) Forfeiture of Body-gripping Trap- Any body-gripping trap that is possessed or used in violation of this section, and any wildlife captured by the use of such trap, including the pelt or raw fur, shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States in accordance with the provisions of chapter 46 of title 18, United States Code, relating to civil forfeitures.
`(d) Payment of Court Costs and Other Associated Expenses- A person found to be in violation of subsection (a) shall pay all court costs associated therewith.
`(e) Regulations- Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue any regulations necessary to carry out this section.
`(f) Definition- As used in this section, the term `body-gripping trap’–
`(1) means any device that is intended to kill or capture wildlife by physically restraining any part of the animal;
`(2) includes any steel-jaw, padded, or other modified leghold trap, kill-type trap, snare trap, or any modified version of any such trap; and
`(3) does not include any cage or box trap or suitcase-type live beaver trap.’.
As a trapper, you might ask yourself why on earth would anyone in their right mind introduce a bill like this. Well, just take a look at the 43 co-sponsors of the bill. Have you known any of these representatives to have much common sense when it comes to the well being of their constituents?
If passed, this bill would hurt trappers, hurt the economy, and most importantly, it would hurt the animal populations that trappers and non-trappers both cherish. Narrow minded congressmen and bleeding hearts sympathize with an animal struggling in a trap for a short time, but apparently don’t know or care about the alternatives. Our wildlife populations are much healthier today because of balanced furbearer harvest, which keeps these animals at healthy densities. Without trapping in National Wildlife Refuges, we would likely see a greater occurrence of overpopulation, spread of disease, and more natural suffering and death of animals.
Death and suffering are inevitible in wild America. I’d rather see an animal die a quick death at the hands of a trapper, who can produce a valuable fur, benefit the economy, and manage furbearer populations, than a slow, agonizing death by the forces of nature.
Trapping isn’t cruel, nature is. Contact your representative and urge them to vote against HR 3710. The bill has been referred to the House Natural Resources Committee and the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife.
Click here for a perspective from the National Wildlife Control Operators Association.
Leave a Reply