A steel jaw trap set for a bobcat accidentally trapped a female mountian lion in Nebraska. The injuries were so severe, the lion had to be euthanized. The mountian lion was eliminated from the state in 1890 and there is only a small breeding popuation of mountian lions in Nebraska, less than 20. To have lost one to this cruel device is a major set-back for the species.

When an animal steps on the steel-jaw trap spring, the trap's jaws slam shut, clamping down on the animal's limb or paw. As the animal struggles in excruciating pain to get free, the steel vise cuts into his or her flesh-often down to the bone-mutilating the leg or paw. Some animals, especially mothers desperate to return to their young, will even attempt to chew or twist off their trapped limbs. Not only are traps cruel, they are also completely indiscriminate. Every year, dogs, cats, birds, and other animals-including endangered species-are "accidentally" crippled or killed by steel jaw traps.

We ask Nebraska to ban the use of steel jaw traps.

SOURCE: http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local/article_f0d56b8a-3184-11e1-b634-0019bb2963f4.html
Governor Dave Heineman
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 94848
Lincoln, NE 68509-4848
Phone: 402-471-2244
Fax: 402-471-6031
Email: http://www.capwiz.com/politicsol/mail/?id=31717&type=GV&state=NE