Body-gripping traps are often set up in the wild for hunting, keeping animals away from livestock, and getting fur pelts for garments. These traps are cause extreme pain to the animals who are unfortunate enough to get caught by them. Many are stuck for days, vulnerable to predators, and without access to food or water. Sometimes, the trapped animal gets so desperate to escape that they will try to chew off their limb. Some examples of these traps include, steel-jaw leghold traps, strangling snares, and conibear traps, all of which often do not kill animals immediately, but rather cause them to suffer as part of their body is crushed while they are still conscious.

According to Animal Welfare Institute, not only are hunting traps dangerous for the targetted animals, but also for pets who wander off and other local wildlife. There have been multiple cases of animals getting caught in traps and snares, causing them to get infections, lose their paws, and even die.  Fortunately, new legislation could end this cruel practice in the US.

On July 27, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) reintroduced, the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act to “help restore the original purpose of the National Wildlife Refuge System as a sanctuary for wildlife by prohibiting the use of cruel body-gripping traps on these public, protected lands.” 242 refuges inside the U.S. still allow trapping, so this act would be a huge step forward.

Cathy Liss, President of the Animal Welfare Institute, commented, “Body-gripping traps, such as strangling snares, Conibear traps, and steel-jaw leghold traps, are inhumane and indiscriminate. Public lands belong to all of us, not just the select few who wish to trap, and Americans should be able to enjoy our outdoor spaces without fear of their pets or themselves stepping into a bone-crushing device.”

Sign this petition to urge Congress to pass the Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act and ban body-gripping traps from being used on public lands!

To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:

• Ban Trapping Animals for Fur in the U.K.
• Ban Glue Traps

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