Ban Steel Jaw Leghold Traps in Brigantine, NJ

It has come to my attention someone is trying to trap Brigantine Foxes. Fox traps have been found set in the dunes. The Brigantine fox population is very small and many of us want to protect them.  

"Healthy foxes pose virtually no danger to humans. Foxes can grow accustomed to human activity but are seldom aggressive toward people. Eliminating healthy foxes is not warranted based solely on human safety concerns. People uncomfortable with the presence of foxes should remove attractants, exclude foxes with fencing and employ scaring techniques. In many cases, homeowner's perceptions of problems are unfounded and in some cases, the mere presence of a fox is perceived as a problem." ~ NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife

Steel jaw leghold traps- nasty, cruel mechanical devices, designed to grasp an animal by the leg using spring-operated metal jaws. In their desperation to escape the pain and terror of being trapped, the captured animal will sometimes bite off the limb that has been caught. They catch unintended animals, including birds, domestic pets and animals of rare species. Trappers unintentionally kill literally millions of non-target animals every year. About 100 countries - excluding the United States, Canada and Russia - have so far banned the use of leghold traps on the grounds that they are inhumane and indiscriminate. Britain (where they are called gin traps) was one of the first countries to outlaw them in the 1950's and the European Union banned steel-jaw leghold traps in 1995. There is ample scientific evidence to show that even if an innocent animal survives the trapping, it often ends up with damaged tendons or ligaments in its efforts to escape. Trapped animals still suffer from torsion injuries, fractures, soft tissue damage and other limb injuries. Innocent animals caught by mistake often have to be euthanased as a result.

We ask for a ban in Brigantine, NJ that makes cruel steel jaw leghold traps illegal on our beautiful island.