Support S1182 / A667 — Ban Cruel Leg-Gripping Traps in New York

Governor Hochul and the NYS Assembly and Senate Members.

Why should you support our petition to ban leg-gripping traps in New York?

  • Leg-gripping traps are indiscriminate and have caught and killed dogs, cats, hawks, owls, endangered species, even humans have been severely injured. (Source: Animal Welfare Institute, NRWM).
  • Trapping is cruel. Trapped animals may suffer severe physical trauma, emotional distress, thirst, hypothermia and predation for days.
  • NYSDEC regulations require traps to be visited once every 24 hours and in some zones 48 hours, but during that time the trapped animal will struggle until exhausted, at times gnawing off a paw to escape—It’s what trappers cynically call “wring off.”

To: Governor Hochul and the NYS Assembly and Senate Members.
From: [Your Name]

Leg-gripping traps—commonly known as foothold traps—cause extreme pain and suffering to animals. These devices snap shut on animals' limbs, immobilizing them for hours or even days.

Animals caught in leg-gripping traps are immobilized, and therefore are unable to move, eat or drink, care for their young or defend themselves from predators. The American Veterinary Medical Association is opposed to their use. Species other than the target species are frequently trapped, including domestic animals. In some regions of New York State, it may be up to 48 hours before a trapper checks on a trap.

Animals caught in these traps often suffer broken bones, torn ligaments, severe wounds, and prolonged distress. Some attempt to escape by chewing off their own limbs.

These traps do not discriminate. Wildlife and pets are frequent victims. More than 100 countries have banned or heavily restricted the use of steel-jaw leg-hold traps.

We urge the New York State Legislature to pass S1182 / A667, sponsored by Senator Joseph Addabbo and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, to prohibit the use of leg-gripping traps.

Co-sponsors include Senators Brisport and Skoufis, and Assemblymembers Dinowitz, Gonzalez-Rojas, Epstein, Davila, Kelles, Shimsky, Simone, and Bores.