Thus, trapping is harmful to animal populations because it removes healthy animals and leaves behind those who are sick. A great horned owl is the unintended victim of a leghold trap. Trappers themselves report that they trap approximately ten nontarget animals domestic dogs and cats, rabbits, songbirds, raptors, deer, etc. These incidental deaths, which include endangered and threatened species, are not factored into the sustainability of the fur resource. The impact on populations of target species is also unclear.
Trapping is largely unregulated, and where restrictions do apply, they are poorly enforced.
Trappers are allowed to catch some species, such as the lynx and river otter, whose populations are low. The fur trade has nearly caused the extinction of fishers, martens, and several species of wild cats. As the human population grows and sprawls into wildlife habitats, our encounters with wildlife become more frequent. Tolerance and understanding for the animal members of our communities should be our guides in solving problems between humans and wildlife. Due to their indiscriminate nature, traps are dangerous to use in urban and suburban areas.