Headlines:Legislation Introduced to Prohibit Cruel Traps on National Wildlife Refuges
WASHINGTON, DC, August 15, 2023 – Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), co-Chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, have reintroduced the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act with the aim of safeguarding wildlife on National Wildlife Refuges. The proposed legislation seeks to reinstate the sanctity of these protected lands by banning the use of inhumane body-gripping traps.
Over half of the United States' 568 refuges currently permit trapping, posing risks to humans, pets, and endangered species. The legislation is driven by a commitment to eliminate this hazardous practice from these public spaces. Rep. Jerrold Nadler emphasizes that trapping has no place on protected lands, aiming to ensure the safety of visitors and wildlife alike.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer stresses that the National Wildlife Refuge System should serve as a haven for both animals and people. The legislation aims to prevent incidents where animals and pets fall prey to body-gripping traps, ensuring that the refuges remain true sanctuaries for wildlife.
Animal welfare advocates, including Angela Grimes, CEO of Born Free USA, express their strong support for the bill, citing the undeniable suffering inflicted on animals by trapping devices. The proposed legislation is backed by a coalition of cosponsors and has endorsements from various representatives who champion its goal of eradicating cruel traps from the country's refuges.
The bill's cosponsors include Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA), Sean Casten (D-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), and others who are aligned with the cause. The collective efforts of these representatives aim to create a safer environment for both wildlife and the public, ensuring that National Wildlife Refuges fulfil their intended purpose as protected spaces free from harm.
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