The Commissioner of Agriculture is developing regulations regarding trapping, snaring, and poisoning these animals. Only state and federal animal damage control agents and a limited number of private animal damage control specialists may use poisons to take wildlife. Both groups are limited to using two poisons approved and regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. The methods of taking wildlife prohibited by the proposal are inhumane and should be banned. The use of leghold traps or snares can result in prolonged suffering of trapped animals.
Some animals injure themselves while trying to escape from snares.
Traps, snares, and poisons may not actually kill the animal immediately, causing the animal to suffer. Traps, snares, and poisons can be indiscriminate methods of killing wildlife. Endangered or non-target species may be mistakenly captured in traps. For example, river otter may be caught in traps set for beaver. In addition, pets or humans may be accidentally hurt in traps.