New York proposes trap regulations

By NOELLE SHORT , Enterprise Outdoor Writer
Posted on: Friday, June 1, 2007

RAY BROOK — A couple who witnessed their dog get killed in a seven inch Conibear 220 trap set on a trail at Mount Van Hoevenberg last year said that the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s recent proposal for a trapping regulation designed to reduce the chance of killing dogs is a step in the right direction. The Humane Society of the United States, however, says the proposal still needs a lot of work.

On Nov. 26, 2006, Shannon Preston of Lake Placid, along with her two daughters, saw their 4-year-old dog, Meesha, killed by a body-gripping type trap that was set a short distance from one of the cross-country ski center’s trails.

On Wednesday, the DEC introduced legislation that regulates body-gripping type traps set on land that are five inches or larger in size, that are primarily used to catch raccoons and fishers. According to the regulation, the traps would have to be used in compliance with one of three options: “1. set five feet above the ground; 2. set within a container that 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 less than six inches from the ground.”

According to DEC Spokesperson Lori O’Connell, the proposal was drafted after consulting with “expert trappers representing the State Trappers Association, along with expert trappers within the DEC.” O’Connell noted that the DEC has focused on the body-gripping traps set on land because they are designed to quickly kill furbearing animals, usually raccoons and fishers, and therefore, when pet owners bring their dogs for walks on Forest Preserve land or other areas where trapping is permitted, they are put at risk.

“Unfortunately, when a dog goes into one of these traps, it too may be killed, or at least seriously injured,” O’Connell said. “Other types of traps, such as foothold traps, may also catch a dog, but these are designed to hold an animal alive with minimal injury.”

Shannon Preston and her husband Rick, said they are pleased with the DEC’s progress since they lost their 50 pound, Minnie Pinn mix dog, however, they both said that they would like to see that the proposal include that traps be restricted within 150 feet of all recreational trails.

“I think this is a very good start,” said Shannon Preston. “It makes us so happy and lifts our spirits to know that our dog’s death wasn’t just something that happened.”

“It’s 99 percent better than what the original law was,” Rick Preston added. “In my opinion any kind of regulation that they are updating is good, because they haven’t been updated in so long. I’d still like to see something done next to the recreational trail. I think if a trap is set 150 feet from a recreational use trail, and if a kid or dog wanders, it gives you a chance to call for them.”

Dora Schomberg, program coordinator for the Human Society of the United States (HSUS), said that a “trap free buffer zone a couple hundred feet from trails” is something they would like to see as well. Schomberg noted that if a traps is found right along a trail, even if a warning sign is present, there is not enough time for parents and pet owner to prevent children and pets from finding the traps and injuring themselves.

“Warning signage is not sufficient by itself to maintain safety of people, pets and children, because only the trapper knows where the trap is located, and once you find it, it’s too late,” Schomberg said. “If you have a dog on a leash, it is not always a preventative method for avoiding this kind of tragedy, because you could have a dead dog on the end of a leash. If the dog goes toward the trap, the owner may realize too late.”

According to Schomberg, the HSUS is also pushing for the new DEC regulations to give counties the option to restrict or prohibit dangerous traps within municipal boundaries. HSUS is also asking that the DEC to not adopt any regulations that allow traps to be suspended above the ground, even with the use of platforms.

“We are asking the new (DEC) commissioner, Pete Grannis, and Gov. Spitzer to not adopt suspending traps above the ground even with platforms, because it will inadvertently capture cats and it’s inherently cruel because of the wildlife that will dangle from these traps,” she said.

Schomberg said that the HSUS will submit formal comments to the DEC on the proposed regulations.

The DEC proposal is currently open for public comments until July 16.

Comments should be mailed to: Gordon Batcheller, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754 or e-mailed to grbatche@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

For more information on DEC trapping regulations and education courses visit www.dec.ny.gov or call 897-1200.

Contact Noelle Short at

891-2600 ext. 28 or nshort@adirondackdailyenterprise.com.

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