STOP the use of Snare Traps on ALL Wildlife Species in FHR

    After a valiant effort and win for the live and humane relocation of "nuisance" raccoons within Fishhawk Ranch and the addendum to the USDA wildlife management contract to cease usage and remove all snare traps, it is with sadness, that in April 2014 all CDD boards (I-III) have agreed to reinstate the use of snare traps for boars (only.) While our raccoon friends are still and thankfully safe, I abhor the trapping method of snare use and protest their incorporation in the current and future USDA (et al) contracts, for all wildlife species.

Here's why: Snares are essentially a noose intended to catch the extremities of animals (arms, legs) and renders them immobile as the snare tightens with movement. This is a legal method of trapping in the state of Florida, but not without controversy.

• Snares cause an immeasurable amount of stress
• They can cause animals to self-amputate in an effort to escape
•  They can cause breaks and fractures as they struggle in the interim
• They leave animals vulnerable and open to predation, increasing risk of suffering
•  They can catch similar sized, non-target species (ie: in the case of a boar snare, it can be reasonably argued that said snare could catch a stray dog, a bobcat or a FL panther)
• They endanger residents who may be passing by to find a distressed animal who could also be agitated, dehydrated and assuredly desperate, this also takes an emotional toll on a resident who should not have to witness this (this has happened once already, let it not happen again)

    USDA and trappers alike will inevitably tell us that these are a tool in their tool box, to help them- help us, trap boars. Last year, Fishhawk Ranch combined CDD spent around $12,000 on wildlife "removal" and those monies destroyed around 82 pigs, 28 Muscovy ducks and 17 raccoons. I do not know the exact number of boars that were caught in snares, but we know about 1 particular raccoon that suffered needlessly in a snare trap and was killed shortly after the animal was found by a distraught resident. To be clear- The boar trapping is not in jeopardy, this is about methodology used to trap them and consideration as to how humane those methods are. I urge you each to seriously consider the emotional distress that a snare trap can cause these animals in their final moments (that left unchecked, could last for an undisclosed amount of time.) Ask yourself if this is the most humane way to achieve these kills that we are seeking at no fault to the animals. If you think that we need to remove this "tool" from the box, a method that is already illegal in many states and other countries, please sign this petition. Let Fishhawk Ranch CDD, a board comprised of community members who represent us as a community, hear our voice in favor of humane and ethical wildlife management practices, practices that do NOT include the use of snares. That we want our contracts to reflect this as we continue to proudly co-exist in an area that is nestled among beautiful conservation lands streaming with biodiversity that many species also call home. What really separates us from "the animals"? I'd like to think it is our humanity. They do not have a say in this, let us be their voice, and let us be heard.