Adams Introduces Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act
"we cannot afford to ignore the danger posed by antiquated body-gripping traps."
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during National Wildlife Refuge Week, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) introduced the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act. The Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act would prohibit interstate shipment of steel-jaw leghold and Conibear traps. This legislation will not supersede a state's policies and regulations on trapping; it does, however, ensure that these two dangerous traps do not cross state lines.
"Today, I'm reintroducing the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act. We cannot afford to ignore the danger posed by antiquated body-gripping traps," said Congresswoman Adams. "Wildlife, pets, and people are placed in harm's way whenever these violent traps are around. I am proud to reintroduce this important piece of legislation to protect our wildlife and our families."
A 2015 Responsive Management report revealed almost 90 percent of trappers used either steel-jaw leghold or Conibear traps. Although each state regulates the use of steel-jaw leghold or Conibear traps, there are no federal laws preventing trappers from crossing state lines with these traps.
According to Angela Grimes, CEO of Born Free USA, "At its core, trapping is dangerous, indiscriminate, and barbaric. Leghold and Conibear traps—the two most commonly used traps in the U.S.—cause unconscionable suffering not only to targeted wild animals, but also to endangered species, beloved pets, and even children. It is well past time to significantly limit the impact and spread of these traps. We thank Congresswoman Adams not only for introducing this important bill, but introducing it during National Wildlife Refuge week, further shining a light on the fact that these kinds of traps are used on nearly 43% of our refuges – land set aside specifically for the protection of our wild species."
"As fall trapping season gets underway, the reintroduction of the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act could not be more timely," said Cathy Liss, president of the Animal Welfare Institute. "Torturing animals by breaking their bones, crushing tissue and organs, and keeping them pinned in powerful metal jaws is not acceptable, and it's time to evolve beyond such archaic methods of capturing wildlife. We strongly endorse Representative Adams' bill to curtail the use of body-gripping traps."
Rep. Adams has introduced the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act in every Congress since her first full term started in 2015. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL) is a cosponsor of this year's bill.
Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina's 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County) and serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture. Additionally, she serves on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Education & Labor Committee, where she serves as Chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee.
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