Responding to a spate of accidental dog deaths in traps, Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, is introducing legislation to restrict the use of body-grip traps. The legislation would require that the traps be either 5 feet off the ground or completely submerged in water. He said 25 other states have similar standards for the traps.
“These traps are extremely dangerous,” Ward said Thursday.
The traps are designed to catch animals such as raccoons and bobcats and are legal on almost all public land. Ward said the traps could even endanger an inquisitive toddler who strayed into the woods.
“We would pray and hope that never does happen,” he said. “That’s not out of reality to happen. I’m an animal lover. My heart goes out to those people who have lost their dogs.”
He said the DNR agrees that there is a problem and that even some trappers agree with some restrictions.
Ward said the legislation, which is being authored in the Senate by Sen. Chuck Wiger, DFL-Maplewood, would likely be introduced by the end of next week.
Comments (3)
Add commentWard
Am sorry to say i voted for you, I thought you might be the answer. but after watching you in action i regret it. Maybe instead of running around introducing dif bills to suit a select few, instead of gathering folks to "talk" about the unemployment problems in brainerd, you actually do something or "introduce" a bill to help all the people in need of work. While its true there are some out there unwilling to work, there are many more that are and simply cannot find a job. the future of brainerd is slim, a city council full of idiots, outdated and half senile, who wont allow any new business to come. (creating employment) Stand up Mr. Ward, and help the people of Brainerd, instead of going with the latest hype.
Nice job Ward!!
Very glad to see you take a lead on this issue, it is important to many people in MN to get this issue resolved. There is plenty of time in the legislature to preserve the lives of pets who are family members in most cases. This issue should have been dealt with long before but better late then never.
On behalf of the avid outdoorsmen, I thank you!
Its not the goverments job to find work for people, it's their job to pass laws, no law will put people back to work.
Will this make your pets safer on public land
The answer is a resounding no, it will only lead to a false security.
If this passes, fishhead will have accomplished his goal in trying to make others pay for his in-ability to admit his own mistake and take responsibility for his lack of judgment.
The facts are that 89 countries and 8 states have outlawed the leg hold trap, the kind of trap that fishhead sets and he has opened the door for Minnesota to outlaw them as well.