Recently while hiking in the Basha Kill with our dogs, one of my dogs stepped into a steel leghold trap. We finally got it off her, with me holding her down as she screamed and thrashed, and my husband figuring out how to open the damnable thing. There are NO SIGNS there - anywhere in this 2715 acre state land area, that say trapping is permitted, especially in an area where people walk with their children or pets.

I am so sick and appalled that this horrific practice is not only
legal, but acceptable in an area that is an environmentally sensitive wildlife area.

The trap was hidden under leaves and NOT in an obvious place.
It's just disgusting, and frankly - terrifying. To see my dog
thrashing around and screaming was just horrible.

Please sign this petition to tell the DEC that trapping is a hideous practice and allowing trapping in an area where people go to bird watch, kayak, and walk or hike is deplorable.
Safety needs to take precedence over the rights of trappers!

Some facts:

• 78% of the American public is opposed to use of leghold traps.
• HSUS and NYSHA are both working to ban traps in public access areas.
• If you check this website:
  http://www.bancrueltraps.com/b_nontarget_chart.php
  you can see just how many animals - pets (dogs and cats and even children!) have been victimized, killed or maimed by these traps.
• The animal protection community, through the citizens initiative ballot process, passed a law banning cruel traps in MA in 1996, with a 2:1 victory.
• This is the type of trap, and how it works that are being set: http://www.banlegholdtraps.com/3dtrap.html  - imagine your child, your cat or your dog caught in that!