Bill Text: NJ SCR169 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Opposes Fish and Game Council's proposal to allow use of enclosed foothold traps.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2015-06-25 - Withdrawn from Consideration [SCR169 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-SCR169-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator RAYMOND J. LESNIAK
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Opposes Fish and Game Council's proposal to allow use of enclosed foothold traps.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution expressing opposition to the Fish and Game Council's proposal to allow the use of enclosed foothold traps.
Whereas, On March 16, 2015, the Fish and Game Council proposed for public comment in the New Jersey Register amendments for the 2015-2016 Game Code; and
Whereas, The Game Code sets forth the regulations governing hunting and trapping in the State, including season dates, bag limits, and the means by which game and furbearing animals may be taken and possessed; and
Whereas, Among the proposed amendments for the 2015-2016 Game Code is a provision to allow the use of enclosed foothold traps, which are defined as a live-capture trap with a trigger which is activated by pulling; and
Whereas, In 1984, in order to protect animal welfare and prevent cruelty in trapping, P.L.1984, c.37 (C.23:4-22.1 et seq.) was enacted in this State to prohibit the use of steel-jaw leghold traps; and
Whereas, There have been many innovations in the design of restraining devices used for trapping since this ban on steel-jaw leghold traps was enacted, including the design of "enclosed foothold traps"; and
Whereas, Enclosed foothold traps are described as being specifically designed to capture species, such as raccoons and opossums, which possess a degree of manual dexterity, while avoiding the capture of non-target animals, such as domestic dogs and cats; and
Whereas, Notwithstanding the design of enclosed foothold traps, these traps arguably work in a similar manner to the banned steel-jaw leghold traps, capturing raccoons, opossums, and other similarly sized animals by trapping the foot of the animal with a clamping force that may inflict trauma, restrict blood flow, and result in the same type of significant injury to the animal as caused by a steel-jaw leghold trap; and
Whereas, While designed to be more selective than the traditional coil spring or other leghold traps, these enclosed foothold traps should be considered to be the same as the steel-jaw leghold traps currently banned in the State, as they are cruel and inhumane; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper to encourage action to protect animal welfare and promote the most humane methods of trapping; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):
1. The Legislature strongly opposes the proposal by the Fish and Game Council to amend the 2015-2016 Game Code to allow the use of enclosed foothold traps, and urges the council to not adopt the proposed amendment to allow the use of such traps.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, and the Chair and each member of the Fish and Game Council.
STATEMENT
This resolution expresses the Legislature's opposition to the proposal by the Fish and Game Council to amend the 2015-2016 Game Code to allow the use of enclosed foothold traps, and further urges the council to not allow the use of such traps.
