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Congresswoman Nita Lowey Introduces
Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act of 2009
Please ask your Representative to
cosponsor H.R. 3710
See Details of Lowey's 2007 Trap
Regulation Bill
As the trapping season commences across the country with the
beginning of fall, Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) has
introduced legislation to end the use of brutal traps on
furbearing animals within federal wildlife refuges. H.R.
3710, the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act, which was
submitted with a total of 35 original co-sponsors, helps to
restore the original intent of the National Wildlife Refuge
System by placing a ban on the use of body-gripping traps
within the refuge system.
This is the
Congresswoman's second trap regulation bill. See her 2007 bill.
Currently, animals living within National Wildlife Refuges
are at risk of falling victim to body-gripping traps where
they may suffer for hours or days—struggling to be free of
the long-drawn-out pain inflicted on them by the traps.
Animals targeted by trappers include coyotes, bobcats,
otters, fox, wolves, beaver, and other wildlife. Many of
these animals are killed for recreation and profit (fur).
Because body-gripping traps and snares do not discriminate,
they jeopardize the very birds and threatened and endangered
species refuges are supposed to protect. Bald eagles, Canada
lynx, gray wolves and other imperiled species are frequent
victims of traps set for other species.
More than half of our nation’s 550 refuges currently allow
trapping using steel jaw leg-hold traps, Conibear traps, and
snares. Steel jaw leg-hold traps are designed to restrain
the animal by the leg, and studies show such traps can cause
significant injuries including fractures, dislocation,
laceration, hemorrhage, and even amputations. Conibear traps
are designed to crush the animal’s spinal column for a
quick kill. However, the trap often misses and clamps down
on the chest or pelvis, crushing bones and causing the
animal excruciating pain and prolonged death. Snares are
among the oldest form of trap, a simple noose made of thin
wire, which tightens around an animal's neck or body as they
struggle to get away. H.R. 3710, the Refuge from Cruel
Trapping Act will put an end to this cruel practice.
Body-gripping traps have been restricted in several states
and leghold traps are banned in 89 other nations.
A national Decision Research public opinion poll showed that
79% of Americans believe trapping on National Wildlife
Refuges should be prohibited, while 88% believe wildlife and
habitat preservation should be the highest priority of the
refuge system. Trappers, who compromise less than one tenth
of 1% of the population, already have access to millions of
acres of public and private lands outside the refuge system
for their activities.
H.R. 3710, the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act, will help to
ensure that our National Wildlife Refuge System —which was
specifically established to provide animals a safe haven —
is maintained as an inviolate sanctuary for wild animals.
For more information about trapping on our National Wildlife
Refuge System visit:
http://www.projectcoyote.org/action/nwrrefuge.html
What You Can Do:
1. Write to your U.S. Representative and urge him/her to
support and co-sponsor the “Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act”
to help restore the original intent of the National Wildlife
Refuge System as a safe haven for wildlife by prohibiting
the use of cruel body-gripping traps on this public lands
system. SEE POINTS BELOW
Address your letters to:
The Honorable [Full Name]
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
To find out who your Representative is go to www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
Telephone and fax numbers of individual members of Congress
can also be reached by calling Federal Information at (800)
688-9889.
2) Personalized written letters have a greater impact when
writing to members of Congress. However, if you are pressed
for time, you can send an email letter to your
Representative here http://capwiz.com/compassionindex/issues/alert/?alertid=14175786
POINTS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR LETTER:
Currently, animals living within NWRs are at risk of falling
victim to body-gripping traps where they may be tortured for
hours or days—struggling to be free of the long-drawn-out
pain inflicted on them by the traps. Animals targeted by
trappers include coyotes, bobcats, otters, fox, and other
wildlife. Many of these animals are killed for recreation
and profit (fur). Because body-gripping traps and snares do
not discriminate, they jeopardize the very birds and
threatened and endangered species refuges are supposed to
protect.
A national Decision Research public opinion poll showed that
79% of Americans believe trapping on National Wildlife
Refuges should be prohibited, while 88% believe wildlife and
habitat preservation should be the highest priority of the
refuge system. Trappers, who compromise less than one tenth
of 1% of the population, already have access to millions of
acres of public and private lands outside the refuge system
for their activities.
H.R. 3710, the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act, will ensure
our National Wildlife Refuge System —which was
specifically set aside to provide animals a safe home — is
maintained as an inviolate sanctuary for wild animals.
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