During the 1990s, voters in four states Arizona, California, Colorado, and Massachusetts succeeded in outlawing or severely restricting the use of these traps. The use of the steel-jaw leghold trap is also prohibited or restricted in Florida, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Leghold traps are banned in eighty-eight countries. Veterinary groups oppose leghold traps. The steel-jaw leghold trap has been declared inhumane by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the World Veterinary Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association.
Leghold traps pose a threat to non-target animals.
Steel-jaw leghold traps are indiscriminate and can harm a wide range of wildlife and domestic animals. They catch any animal that triggers them, including family pets and protected species such as kit foxes, eagles, fishers, and wolverines. Banning steel-jaw leghold traps will satisfy U.S. Trade Agreements. As a result, the U.S. Trade Representative signed an agreement with the European Commission in which the U.S. agreed to phase out land use of conventional steel-jaw leghold traps. Passage of this legislation will satisfy the nation s obligation under this trade agreement.