Congresswoman Adams and Congresswoman Lowey Introduce the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act to the House Floor

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams (NC-12) and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY-17) introduced the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act.

The Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act will prohibit interstate shipment of leghold and Conibear traps. This legislation will not supersede a state's policies and regulations on trapping; it does however ensure that these two dangerous traps do not cross state lines.

According to a 2015 Responsive Management report, almost 90 percent of trappers used either leghold or Conibear traps. Because of this high rate, it is a necessary step for Congress to begin regulating the use of these traps in order to better care for animal and human life.

"The preservation of human life and wildlife is a priority that lawmakers must take seriously. We can no longer afford to disregard the ill-effects that animal cruelty has on our ecosystem and on us as well. Steel-jaw Leghold and Conibear traps are body-gripping tools that are inhumane and archaic. They also pose unnecessary risks to humans, especially young children. That is why I am proud to introduce this important piece of legislation with my colleague, Congresswoman Nita Lowey," said Congresswoman Alma S. Adams.

"Body-gripping traps are an archaic and indiscriminate method of catching wildlife. They cause tremendous suffering to animals and put humans at an unnecessary risk for injury. That is why I am proud to join Congresswoman Adams in introducing the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act. It is time for the United States to address the inherent cruelty of these devices and ban their use," said Congresswoman Lowey.

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