Brutal Leghold Traps Challenged

Millions of furbearing animals each year suffer pain and fear when caught in highly destructive steel-jaw leghold traps, which are banned in 89 countries. Companion animals, birds, deer and other non-target animals fall victim to the indiscriminate trap as well. An animal caught in its grip might even chew off his or her own foot to escape on three legs; the trappers call this all-too-common activity "wring off." In an effort to protect animals from the cruel device, Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) have reintroduced the Inhumane Trapping Prevention Act as H.R. 1691. The bill seeks to end the use of steel-jaw leghold traps on animals in the United States by making it unlawful to import, export, or transport in interstate commerce leghold traps and articles of fur derived from animals caught using such traps.