Refuge From Cruel Trapping

Summary#

The bill would amend the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to prohibit possessing or using body-gripping traps in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It defines "body-gripping trap" to include devices intended to kill or capture wildlife by physically restraining any part of the animal and lists examples such as steel-jaw or padded leghold traps, kill-type traps, and snare traps. It excludes cage or box traps and suitcase-type live beaver traps.

The bill creates exceptions for: (1) Federal agencies using such traps to control invasive species or to protect species listed as threatened or endangered or designated as sensitive by the Secretary, when use follows Federal and State law and only after other viable nonlethal methods have been explored, described, and attempted with documentation kept; (2) dismantling traps; (3) the System in Alaska; and (4) members of federally recognized Indian Tribes using traps for subsistence.

Penalties in the bill include a civil fine of not more than $500 for each trap possessed and each use of a trap, imprisonment for not more than 180 days, or both. The Secretary must annually adjust the fine for inflation. Any illegal traps and wildlife captured by them, including pelts or raw fur, are subject to forfeiture. A person found in violation must pay associated court costs. The Secretary of the Interior must issue any needed regulations within 120 days, but enforceability does not depend on issuing those regulations. The amendments take effect 120 days after enactment.

What it means for you#

  • If you possess or use a body-gripping trap on land in the National Wildlife Refuge System, you would generally be prohibited from doing so and could face fines, imprisonment, forfeiture of traps and catch, and court costs unless an exception applies.
  • Federal agencies may use these traps in refuges only under narrow conditions: to control invasive species or protect listed or Secretary-designated sensitive species, following federal and state law and only after trying and documenting nonlethal methods.
  • The prohibition does not apply in Alaska, does not apply when dismantling traps, and does not apply to members of federally recognized Indian Tribes using traps for subsistence.

Expenses#

  • The bill sets penalties for individuals: a civil fine of up to $500 per trap possessed and per use, imprisonment up to 180 days, or both. The Secretary will adjust the fine annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
  • Traps and wildlife taken by illegal traps are subject to forfeiture. A person found in violation must pay associated court costs.
  • No publicly available information on projected federal implementation costs or budgetary effects is included in the bill text or provided metadata.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.