The Refuge from Cruel Cruel Trapping Act ( H.B. 2016/S.1081) was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) and in the U.S. Senate by Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
H.B 2016/S.1081 would ban the use or possession of all body-gripping animal traps — including snares, Conibear traps, and steel-jaw leghold traps — on lands within the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS).
According to Born Free’s press release, “The NWRS encompasses the most comprehensive and diverse collection of fish and wildlife habitats in the world, and provides a home for more than 240 endangered species. Overall, the NWRS harbors species of more than 700 birds, 220 mammals, 250 reptiles and amphibians, and 200 fish. Despite the NWRS’ mission “to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans,” a staggering 54 percent of the refuges within the system allow trapping on refuge grounds.”
Born Free USA, the Animal Welfare Institute(AWI), and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) have announced their support for the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act.
According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA and the Born Free Foundation, “The brutality of these traps is shocking; they can crush limbs and organs, and animals often remain trapped for days, in massive pain, before dying. It is inexcusable to subject any animal to such a fate on lands intended for their preservation.”
Congresswoman Lowey states “ I reintroduced the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act to prohibit the use of inhumane steel jaw leghold traps, Conibear kill traps, and snares within our National Wildlife Refuge System…affect the welfare of wild animals and humans alike.”
Born Free USA, AWI, and IFAW are urging swift passage of the legislation to ensure that all National Wildlife Refuges are safe havens for wildlife.
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