Environment DEC
From the July 2007 issue
New Trapping Regulations Proposed
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has proposed new trapping regulations designed to reduce chances that dogs may be caught in certain types of traps set on land. The official proposal is published in the May 30, 2007 issue of the New York State Register. The required 45-day public comment period will end on July 16, 2007.
In past years, a number of dogs have been caught and killed in body-gripping traps set on land. After careful review of current trapping regulations, DEC has determined that additional regulation is needed to maintain the effectiveness of these traps while protecting dogs from being harmed by them.
Traps and Options
Dogs running at large risk injury and death from traps set for wild animals
DEC's proposal would regulate body-gripping type traps five inches or larger set on land. Commercially available traps of this size are commonly called "160s" or "220s." The proposal was developed following consultations with trappers and other interested members of the public.
DEC has proposed that these traps must be used in compliance with one of three options: (1) set five feet above the ground (typically, this is done via a "running pole set"), (2) set within a container which has restricted openings and other features designed to prevent a dog from entering and triggering the trap or (3) set within a container which is fastened to a tree or post in a vertical position, has only one opening which faces the ground and is set so that the opening is no more than six inches from the ground.
Most traps that will be affected by the proposed rule are used to catch raccoons and fisher. These animals are smaller than many dogs and are well adapted for crawling into small holes to find food or shelter or both. Unlike dogs, they are natural cavity dwellers.
