Iahts (ec usa) evidences of violations lav complaint

International Agreement on Humane Trapping Standards EC-USA Evidences of violations (2012)

Simone Pavesi LAV Fur-Free Campaigner Carla Campanaro LAV Legal counsel and Monica Engebretson Born Free USA

Pagina 2 di 27

INDEX INTRODUCTION AND REQUESTS OF INTERVENE

pag. 3 pag. 6



Ch.1 VIDEO-PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION: “VICTIMS OF VANITY – U.S. TRAPPING REPORT”



Ch. 2 COLLATERAL VICTIMS: NON TARGET INCIDENTS

pag. 8



Ch. 3 SCIENTIFIC CLAIMS

pag.16

3.1 Sierra Club’s policy on trapping of wildlife 3.2 Criticality of the main capture devices

pag. 16 pag. 17



Ch. 4 REGULATION IN THE FEDERATED STATES

pag.19



Ch. 5 WILD FUR TRADE



Ch. 6 AFWA FUR HARVEST 1970-2012

Annex and References

pag.21 pag.23

pag.24

Pagina 3 di 27

INTRODUCTION AND REQUESTS OF INTERVENE Main purpose of this report is to highlight that the ways in which animals are captured in the United States of America, are incompatible with European legislation that expressly prohibits the use of leghold traps and the International Agreement on Humane Trapping Standards and, to provide the information necessary in order to take measures on this issue.

Trapping of animals with the purpose of producing fur constitutes 15% of the supply chain in the worldwide fur industry (for an indicative amount of 10 million skins per year).

The target species of this practice include: bobcat, coyotes, raccoon, opossum, and many others.

Methods of capture and killing are varied depending on the species and regulations in force in the country where these animals live. With regard to Europe, in 1991 the Community legislator, with the Council Regulation (EEC) n.3254, banned the use of leghold traps in the Community, but also the introduction into the Community market of pelts and manufactured goods of certain wild animal species originating in countries which catch them by using traps or methods that do not comply with internationally agreed upon "humane" trapping practices.

In relation to agreed standards at international level, in 1998 the European Union reached an International Agreement (OJ L42/43 of 14 February 1998) in the field of standards for catches so-called "humane" with Canada and the Russian Federation and an Agreed Minutes (OJ L219/26 of 7 August 1998), of the same content, with the United States of America.

Following the respective ratifications Canada, Russia and the United States can now export to the European Union furs obtained from animals captured in the wild, in line with their commitment to implement the provisions of the Agreement.

The purpose of these agreements is to ensure a sufficient level of welfare of trapped animals and find new ways to improve it further. Methods of achieving this via specific capture devices were not identified, rather indicators were defined to determine the welfare of trapped animals including physiology, injury and behavior. So, in order to determine whether a method of trapping meets agreed standards, thereby allowing the fur of an animal caught in that way to be introduced into the European market, the welfare of the animal should be considered based on certain indicators therein.

Similarly, to assess whether a method of killing a trapped animal meets the agreed standards, is to assess parameters related to the time required for the animal to reach a state of unconsciousness and insensibility to pain.

These international standards apply to a list of species reported into the agreements and for which the United States, Canada and the Russian Federation have been so authorized to export to Europe.

Facts In early 2011, the organization Born Free USA (which is associated with the homonymous international foundation founded in England in 1984 and advocates for the protection and conservation of wildlife), released an undercover investigation conducted in the United States of America to document practices of capture and killing of animals used for fur.

The video-photographic documentation produced and attached hereto (video "Victims of vanity"), shows incredibly gory images that conflict with what has been agreed between the European Union and the United States as "humane": animals are killed as a result of crushing the chest, hit repeatedly with a club, drown, or strangled with snares.

The video shows that victims of trapping are also "non-target" animals, protected animals, such as "companion animals� " including dogs and cats, but “non-target� victims published by the Born Free USA also include other specially protected animals, such as eagles that are attracted by the baited traps.

Pagina 4 di 27

It’s an established fact in the scientific community that "leghold" traps even when affixed with padded jaws, are indiscriminate capture devices (i.e they are not species-specific nor are they selective in terms of capturing a animal of a particular age and sex) and that they frequently cause serious and unnecessary suffering to the animals.

Nevertheless, in the United States ‘leghold traps’ are the devices most widely used, as is evident in the guidelines and regulations published by individual state agencies on their respective websites as shown in 19 sheets (attached) of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies - AFWA, a non-profit organization representing state agencies for fisheries and wildlife.

In Europe, the capture device most used is the cage-trap: a tool for the containment of the animal in such a way as to safeguard wellbeing and avoiding any kind of injury . The practice of capturing animals conducted in Europe, and otherwise regulated through the Member Countries, states a required daily system of trap inspection, in contrast to what happens in the United States.

Between the United States and European Countries, largely Italy, is an active trade in skins of animals caught in the United States, as documented in the Eurostat database.

The fur industry sales chain is such that the skins of furbearing animals are typically sold in lots at specialized auction houses and so, it is not possible to determine the destination of the skin of an individual animal. We cannot know with absolute certainty that the individual animal skins derived from the so abused, as dramatically shown in the video documentation attached, has been bought by Italian buyers.

However, it is objectively undeniable that the system of capture and killing of these animals as practiced in the United States is at serious odds with past agreements with the European Community in order to avoid any unnecessary suffering to the animals.

It’s worth pointing out that with the signing of international agreements in the field of catches by "humane traps", European institutions have essentially intended to ensure the continuity of business relationships with countries that, upon entry into force of the EEC Regulation 3254/1991, had not formally banned the use of leghold traps.

This way, however, cannot be understood as freedom to use the ‘leghold’ for trapping. The ‘leghold trap’ is by definition a cruel capture device.

So, adherence to IAHTS must be understood as a possibility to export furs from animals trapped to Europe, even if the exporting country has not formally adopted a measure prohibiting the use of leghold traps.

However, if the Country that has signed the IAHTS should also authorize the use of leghold traps, it is clear that it is not able to meet the minimum standards of IAHTS, in the same vein, it would not make sense to have banned the use of leghold traps in Europe, as a cruel device, and then allow its use in the United States or other countries with which these agreements have been signed.

Conclusions: In the United States, the individual federal states can regulate differently the domestic trade of wild fur (fur and fur products derived from animals specially captured), but when the skins of these animals are brought into the Community market, the U.S. must ensure that the methods used to obtain those skins comply with the provisions implemented in Agreed Minutes signed with the European Union.

If not, there would be no reason to depart from the general ban on imports of skins of wild animals such as described in Article 3, paragraph 1 EEC Regulation 3254/1991: 1. The introduction into the Community of pelts of the animal species listed in Annex I and the other goods listed in Annex II, as they incorporate pelts of the species listed in Annex I, shall be prohibited from 1 January 1995, unless the Commission in accordance with Article 5, has determined that the country of origin of the skins:

Pagina 5 di 27

- Are in place adequate administrative or legislative provisions prohibiting the use of leghold traps or - The methods of trapping used for the species listed in Annex I to comply with internationally agreed standards on humane trapping.

Similarly, Annex IV "Declaration of the parties" of the Agreement between the EU, Canada and the Russian Federation (OJ L42/43 of 14 February 1998, which the Agreed Minutes with the U.S. refers to, as indicated in paragraph 8 of the same document), in statements of the European Union are: The European Community understands that the signature of the Agreement on international humane trapping standards is an important and substantial step forward in ensuring a sufficient level of welfare for trapped animals.

The European Community therefore confirms that it will not take any measure implementing Council Regulation (EEC) No 3254/91 (..), as long as the Agreement remains in force and is applied according to its provisions.

Whereas: -

The methods of trapping and killing of animals for fur production, as documented in the footage of the undercover investigation made in the USA and for the many documented incidents of capture of non-target animals do not meet to the minimum standards of the Agreed Minutes;

-

The use of leghold traps is a widespread practice and regulated and authorized by the state government;

Considering also that: -

The subscription of the Agreed Minutes cannot be understood as a free opportunity to use tools that, through their design and mode of operation, totally covered by the definition in Article 1 of EC Regulation 3254/1991, as these instruments are in contradiction with the aims themselves of Agreed Minutes;

LAV asks: in view of the arguments, and in order to ensure compliance with the values and principles of the European Union against the use of leghold traps: according to paragraphs 5, 7 and 8 of the Agreed Minutes between the European Community and the United States of America (OJ L219/26 of August 7, 1998) -

should start the procedure for ‘Settlement of disputes’ referred to in Article 15 of the Agreement between the European Community, Canada and the Russian Federation (OJ L42/43 of 14 February 1998, which the Agreed Minutes mentioned above refers).

according to Annex IV "Declaration of the parties" of the Agreement between the EU, Canada and the Russian Federation, which the Agreed Minutes with the U.S. refers to: -

should suspend the import of furs (raw, tanned or finished) by the United States to Italy and to European Union.

Pagina 6 di 27

Ch. 1 VIDEO-PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION: “VICTIMS OF VANITY – U.S. TRAPPING REPORT” [see also annex: video “Victims of Vanity”] The video "Victims of vanity" of Born Free Foundation shows scenes incredibly cruel: the animals are killed as a result of crushing of the chest, hit repeatedly with a club, drown, or strangled with snares. The video shows that victims of leghold traps are also "non-target", protected animals, like all companion animals such as dogs and cats.

Following is a chronological list of illegalities in the video-documented complaint.

Capture events

Period of the video sequence

0’:33’’ 0’:35’’

Species

Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Documented action

Strangled with metallic lace

Capture with non-compliance (and its verification) of the indicators referred to in sections 2.3.1 and 2.3.2

Crushing of the chest with a foot (animal in agony for several time)

Killing with non-compliance (and its verification) of the indicators referred to in section 3.2.2 and 3.3

Capture with leghold trap

Capture with non-compliance (and its verification) of the indicators referred to in sections 2.3.1 and 2.3.2

Strangled with metal lace

Killing with non-compliance (and its verification) of the indicators referred to in section 3.2.2 and 3.3

Capture with leghold trap

Capture with non-compliance (and its verification) of the indicators referred to in sections 2.3.1 and 2.3.2

Crushing of the chest with a knee (animal in agony for several time)

Killing with non-compliance (and its verification) of the indicators referred to in section 3.2.2 and 3.3

1 0’:48” 1’:02’’

1’:09’’

Lynx (Lynx)

2 1’:15’’ 1’:35’’

1’:39’’

Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

3 1’:54’’ 2’:08’’

Rule infringed of the Agreed Minutes

4

2’:12’’ 2’:20’’

Cat (Felix silvestris catus)

Found dead in a leghold trap

Use of non-selective traps (section 1.2.3)

5

2’:21’’ 2’:24’’

Rabbit (Sylvilagus)

Found dead in a leghold trap

Use of non-selective traps (section 1.2.3)

6

2’:25’’ 2’:39’’

Cat (Felix silvestris catus)

Caught with a leghold trap and killed with a metal lace

Use of non-selective traps (section 1.2.3)

2’45’’ 3’:25’’

Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

Animal has been hit repeatedly with a club in the head, face and body

All the provisions referred to in paragraph 2.3.2. of the Agreed Minutes

Animal drowned by crushing its head with one foot on the bottom

Killing with non-compliance (and its verification) of the indicators

7

Pagina 7 di 27

8

3’:26’’ 4’:18’’

Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

9

4’:25’’ 4’:35’’

Coyote (Canis latrans)

of the stream

referred to in section 3.2.2 and 3.3

Captured with a metal lace and killed by breaking the chest with a foot

Capture with non-compliance (and its verification) of the indicators referred to in sections 2.3.1 and 2.3.2

Capture with leghold trap

Capture with non-compliance (and its verification) of the indicators referred to in sections 2.3.1 and 2.3.2

Pagina 8 di 27

Ch. 2 COLLATERAL VICTIMS: NON TARGET INCIDENTS Below are some episodes of the captures known and related to non-target animals. Important to highlight the fact that this list is merely indicative and refers only to incidents known as reported by the local news, and that the real impact on non-target animals (including specially protected fauna) is intended to considerably higher.

Episodes of catching non-target animals following are taken from the "non-target trapping incidents data base" of the organization Born Free USA (http://www.bornfreeusa.org/database/trapping_incidents.php ) When

Where

Species

Fact

07/04/2012

Washington

Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

A raccoon was found with hs front leg caught in a steel jaw leghold trap. The trap had broken the bones in the animal's leg and in an attempt to remove himself, the raccoon chewed his own leg to the bone. The trap was set illegally and the trapper is unknown. The raccoon had to be euthanized.

04/04/2012

Oregon

Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

A bobcat was caught in an illegal snare on private property. The animal was able to be freed.

01/04/2012

North Carolina

Cat (Felix silvestris catus)

Maine

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

25/03/2012

Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

08/03/2012

Alaska

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

A cat was caught in a conibear trap set by a neighbor out to catch groundhogs. The cat, although injured, survived.

Source

Washington Humane Society and local news.

Predator Defense (wildlife non-profit organization, Oregon).

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

A dog ran off into the woods and was caught in a leghold trap for almost 2 weeks before being discovered by his guardian. One of his toes had started to rot and had to be amputated.

WCSH6.com (local news website)

An Anchor Point trapper has been charged with state and federal crimes for trapping lynx out of season and taking a bald eagle (in violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act) and raven (in violation of the U.S. Federal Migratory Bird Act). Another trapper also faces charges of possessing an illegally taken lynx.

Penninsula Clarion.com (local news website)

Raven (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

Oregon

Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

A bobcat was caught in an illegal snare for 12 hours on private property in Lane County and was rescued by Predator Defense.

KEZI.com (local news website)

11/02/2012

Oregon

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A dog being was caught in a Conibear trap set for river otters or beavers. The snare strangled her, knocking her unconscious. An official helped to free her, but because she was not breathing, the husband performed CPR and revived her.

KTVZ.com (local news website)

09/02/2012

Nebraska

Mountain lion

A mountain lion unintentionally caught in a foothold trap in Dawes County was tranquilized and released

NC News.com

01/03/2012

Pagina 9 di 27

01/02/2012

Oregon

(Felis concolor)

by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials.

(local news website)

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A dog was accompanying two horseback riders when he was caught in a foothold trap. The woman and her friend worked together to push on the levers and was able to free the dog. They found a second trap nearby.

Bend Bulletin.com (local news website)

A hiker stumbled upon a severely injured cat whose crushed left forelimb was ensnared in a leghold trap that had been purposely set. The animal was taken to an animal medical center in Boston and had has leg amputated to save his life. It appears the trap was unregistered and was likely set illegally.

Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (no profit)

KVTZ.com (local news website)

Cat 14/02/2012

Massachusetts

(Felix silvestris catus)

04/02/2012

Oregon

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

Lucy, a heeler mix, being walked by a woman and her finance was caught in a foothold trap. Unable to free Lucy, they carried her to their car in a dog crate and took her to the clinic where the woman worked as a veterinarian. Lucy was anesthetized and the trap removed.

29/01/2012

Virginia

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A 9-year old boy helped his 77-year old neighbor when her dog, Nutmeg, was caught in a "groundhog" trap.

Nelson County Times.com (local news website)

27/01/2012

Nevada

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A couple walking their dogs had one of the dogs caught in a leg-hold trap. The guardian was able to remove the trap after 10 minutes and took the dog to the vet. The dog sustained bruising on her right paw.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

26/01/2012

Minnesota

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

Two dogs were being walked when one was caught by a Conibear trap that was hidden in marsh grass. The dog died within a few minutes of being caught.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

01/2012

Idaho

Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis)

A Canada lynx was inadvertently caught in a foot-hold trap in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. He was later released.

Chicago-Tribune (local news website)

Two cats in two difference incidents were caught in traps and had to have their limbs amputated. One cat was found in a steel-jaw trap on Wednesday. One of his front legs was frozen to the trap and had to be amputated. Another stray cat was found in a similar situation on Thursday and also had a leg amputated.

KRTV.com (local news website)

Cat 01/2012

18/01/2012

Montana

Nevada

(Felix silvestris catus)

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A couple took their two young pups for a walk next to a popular sports complex when one of their pups got caught in a coyote box trap. While the guardian was trying to release her from the box trap, she was caught in the snare trap that was set inside of the box trap.

Her guardian was able to release her after retrieving pliers from his car. The pup was passed out from a lack of air and barely breathing.

Skydrive (local news website)

Pagina 10 di 27

Minnesota

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A dog was injured by a trap. According to Washington County Sheriff's Office, the trap was located on a private property just outside the Clearwater Creek Preserve. The guardian was able to free the dog.

Press Pubs.com (local news website)

Kentucky

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A woman was walking her dog through a public park when her dog got caught in a trap and was killed.

Another dog was killed by a trap set by the same trapper in a different area.

14News.com (article online)

Minnesota

Owl (Ophtalmomegas)

A Great Horned Owl was caught in a conibear trap set for bobcats. Both legs were caught in the trap and broken to the point of showing tendons. The owl was taken to the vet, but because the owl, who was otherwise healthy, could not be rehabilitated, it was euthanized.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

31/12/2011

Idaho

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

Two women took their dogs for a walk off Bogus Basin when one of the dogs was caught in a foot-hold trap.

The women could not get the trap off the dog's foot and had to carry him to a road to flag down a car for help.

KTVB.com (article online)

29/12/2011

Minnesota

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A hunting dog named was accidentally trapped and killed.

Brainerd Dispatch (article online)

26/12/2011

Nebraska

Mountain lion (Felis concolor)

A mountain lion accidentally caught in a bobcat trap was euthanized. Tracks of two young mountain lions, likely the trapped lion's off-spring, were found.

JournalStar.com (article online)

25/12/2011

Minnesota

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A man was out for a walk with his son and dog, and the dog was caught in a Conibear trap. After trying to free her in vain, he shot her at point blank range to end her suffering.

Star Tribune (article online)

23/12/2011

Oregon

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

19/12/2011

Nevada

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A dog was caught in a leg-hold trap and the guardian bitten when while trying to release. The dog sustained cuts, bruising and swelling on its leg.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

19/12/2011

Nevada

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A hunter and part-time trapper's dogwas killed after being caught in a Conibear trap.

Brainerd Dispatch (article online)

Montana

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A trapper whose traps caught 2 dogs near a campground will be cited for having his traps too close to a campground. The dogs’ owners could also be cited for removing the traps.

Missoulian.com (article online)

12/01/2012

05/01/2012

02/01/2012

17/12/2011

A dog was killed by a Conibear trap set between its guardian's fence and their neighbors. The trapper was served with a notice and paid a fine.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

Pagina 11 di 27

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A pet dog was caught and killed in a Conibear trap intended for nuisance raccoons while being walked through a state park.

WishTV.com (online news article)

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A woman out walking her dogs near a creek had one of her dogs caught and killed by a Conibear trap. Her dog was dead in seconds and could not be saved.

Another dog has been killed by another trap set by this trapper. He revealed he had over 70 traps set throughout the area but would not divulge the locations.

Social Media, Lexi18.com (online news article)

Oregon

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A family out walking with their two dogs on public land near a river had one of them caught in a leg-hold trap. The dog was released from the trap with no permanent damage. They suspect their other dog had tripped another trap the day before while on a walk in the same location.

Trap Free Oregon (nonprofit wildlife advocacy organization from Oregon)

04/12/2011

Oregon

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A family was out for a walk with their beagle puppy named Lexi when she got caught in a foothold trap set near a dirt road frequented by the public. Lexi was able to be freed and nursed at home.

Trap Free Oregon (nonprofit wildlife advocacy organization from Oregon)

26/11/2011

North Carolina

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A pet cat was caught in a leghold trap for approx 12 hrs and had to have her hind leg amputated.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

01/11/2011

Montana

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A woman walking her dogs with her grandchildren had her two dogs caught in leghold traps.

Hungry Horse News (article online)

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

16/12/2011

11/12/2011

07/12/2011

Indiana

Kentucky

30/10/2011

Wyoming

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A woman was horseback riding with her dog accompanying her. When she looked up, she saw her dog in a Conibear trap next to the road. Her neighbor and his son had set up the trap on their property to catch small amimals. The dog survived without lasting injuries.

23/10/2011

Maine

Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis)

A trapper caught a lynx in a trap intended for coyotes and foxes. Upon finding the lynx, the trapper set it free.

Maine Warden Service Investigation Report

22/10/2011

Maine

Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis)

Warden Service was contacted of a lynx caught in a foothold trap. While waiting for assistance from a biologist, a second lynx caught in a trap was reported.

Maine Warden Service Investigation Report

22/10/2011

Maine

Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis)

A lynx was unintentionally caught in a leg-hold trap by his right hind foot. The lynx was released on-site after an examination by game wardens and tagged.

Maine Warden Service Investigation Report

22/10/2011

Alaska

Dog (Canis lupus

A dog was caught by her neck in a snare trap for approx 20 hours. There were around 30 snares in the

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born

Pagina 12 di 27

familiaris)

area where she was trapped. The traps were set out by a neighbor who did not inform the residents of his traps. Sara had a cut all the way around her neck from the snare and it took days for head swelling to go down. She has a permanent ring of white hair around her neck caused by the accident.

A lynx was accidentally caught by a trapper and released.

MDIFW Checklist for Reporting & Responding to Incidental Captures of Lynx

Free USA)

18/10/2011

Maine

Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis)

16/10/2011

Wyoming

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A woman's dog got caught in a trap and died while they were out for a walk in an area popular with people with dogs.

Fox11On Line.com (article online)

05/08/2011

Connecticut

Cat (Felix silvestris catus)

Police were called for a male, domestic, short-haired tabby cat who got its leg caught in a leg hold trap. The cat was taken to a vet and later euthanized.

Ansonia Police Dept Report

01/08/2011

Oregon

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A dog was caught and killed in a Conibear trap intended to for nuisance wildlife.

07/2011

Illinois

OregonLive.com (article online)

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A dog got 3 of her paws caught in traps set out for coyotes and nearly lost her life. She survived unable to move until she was found by hunters on the fifth day after becoming trapped. Miraculously, she was able to keep all three of her legs with just having her toes amputated.

Stowsentry.com (article online)

Personal communication by e-mail to Born Free USA

16/05/2011

New York

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A dog got 3 of her paws caught in traps set out for coyotes and nearly lost her life. She survived unable to move until she was found by hunters on the fifth day after becoming trapped. Miraculously, she was able to keep all three of her legs with just having her toes amputated.

17/01/2011

North Carolina

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A dog named Dozer was caught in a trap. He sustained broken bones, cuts, swelling, bruising, and had to have his tail amputated.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

Daily Herald (article online)

NelsonCountyTimes.com (article online)

14/01/2011

Illinois

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A husky/collie mix was nearly choked to death by a steel snare trap during a walk with its owner. The owner later went back to the area to post a note to the hunter letting him know that the trap nearly killed his dog and to get rid of the traps before someone gets hurt, when the man himself was caught in a separate trap.

11/01/2011

Virginia

Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

A rare golden eagle was caught in a foothold trap meant for a coyote; one toe was amputated. The eagle was rehabilitated and released.

Pagina 13 di 27

08/01/2011

Maryland

. A cat returned dragging a leg-hold trap clamped to his front, left paw. Trap was removed and his front leg amputated. Incident was reported to Montgomery County Animal Control.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus)

Silver Creek Beagle Club illegally set out traps to rid the club of predatory birds to protect the bait rabbits they use to train beagles, violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A great horned owl was found dead in the area as well as a red-shouldered hawk with both legs broken (the hawk was later euthanized).

courier-journal.com (article online)

Cat (Felix silvestris catus)

Owl (Ophtalmomegas) 10/12/2010

Indiana

15/11/2010

Montana

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A hunting dog got its right front paw caught in a Conibear trap for several days before he was able to gnaw the anchor cable loose.

helenair.com (article online)

22/08/2010

Nevada

Cat (Felix silvestris catus)

A cat was found in a leg-hold trap, caught in a leghold trap and picked up by a Washoe County Animal Services officer. Her crushed toes were amputated.

Trailsafe.org (nonprofit organization)

13/07/2010

Tennessee

Cat (Felix silvestris catus)

After being caught in the trap for an estimated 2 days, a cat had to have its right front leg had to be amputated.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

Texas

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Houston SPCA received a call from Harris County Animal Control about a dog trapped in a steel-jaw leghold trap. Working with Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Jack Abercia’s Office, Houston SPCA Cruelty Investigators arrived to the property in Northwest Houston to find one dog trapped in a live-trap and a second dog, a Boxer-mix dog with one leghold trap on his right front foot and a second trap on his scrotum.

The dogs were quickly rushed to the Houston SPCA. The Boxer-mix was anesthetized and his were wounds x-rayed and treated.

Houston SPCA (nonprofit organization)

Maine

Gray jay (Perisoreus canadensis)

Trapper illegally set a trap and caught a gray jay, a protected species under the Endangered Species Act. He also trapped a lynx illegally and tried to discard the body.

Bangor Daily News

New Hampshire

Cat (Felix silvestris catus)

08/07/2010

02/07/2010

01/05/2010

14/03/2010

Nevada

Cat (Felix silvestris catus)

A cat was caught in a leghold for around one week until the residents of property released her. The cat had to have her hind leg amputated.

A man was cited by state officials for allegedly setting a steel leg trap that caught a cat near a bike path. A cat named Trapper John by NHS vets that treated him, was discovered partially submerged in water and struggling to free himself from the trap. Although hypothermic and injured by the trap, he survived.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

Reno Gazette (article online)

Pagina 14 di 27

Minnesota

Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

A lynx was caught in a trap but escaped - the hair sample left confirmed by the USFWS that it was in fact a lynx.

US Fish and Wildlife Service

New Jersey

Cat (Felix silvestris catus)

A cat showed up with injury and taken to veterinarian who deduced that the injury was caused by a trap. The bones, nerves and blood supply were severed. The foot started to die and had to be amputated.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

Wisconsin

Cat (Felix silvestris catus)

A cat caught in a steel-jaw trap on the city's west side was euthanized by the Oshkosh Area Humane Society to put it out of its misery from a badly broken back leg. "There was no salvaging that cat. He was in horrible, horrific pain," said Joni Geiger, director of the animal shelter. Police were called by a resident who found the cat in the trap in his yard. The trap did not belong to the person who called police. It was the type of trap someone would use to trap small game in the wild. Police have not cited anyone and they don't have any suspects.

The Northwestern (article online)

10/12/2009

Oregon

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A girl found Barney in a Conibear trap and brought immediately to the vet. The trap had crushed his spine and organs and he had to be euthanized - the trapper was found and under investigation.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

23/11/2009

Alaska

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A retired sled dog survived with minor injury the crushing jaws of a Conibear trap set less than 10 feet off a trail near town.

Anchorage Daily News; Peninsula Clarion (online news article)

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

On Thanksgiving Day, a man and his nephew "were wandering along the riverbank just off the trail" that runs alongside the Big Flat irrigation ditch near the confluence of the Bitterroot and Clark Fork rivers. One of the dogs got caught in a leg-hold trap and suffered no more than a serious sprain. Incredibly, it was already re-set when the man, who had gone home to check up on the dog, returned to the scene to investigate.

New West Blog (online news)

New Haven Register (article online)

Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Wildlife Management

26/02/2010

26/12/2009

03/12/2009

26/11/2009

Montana

25/11/2009

Connecticut

Owl (Asio otus)

The owl was found stuck in a rusty leghold trap in Moodus by a wildlife rehabilitators, who cared for the owl over Thanksgiving. The owl was emaciated, having been impaired for a long time and unable to hunt. The veterinarian the woman brought the owl to the morning after Thanksgiving determined that the owl's injury was so severe, its foot would have to be amputated and it would never be released. In keeping with federal law, the owl was euthanized.

24/11/2009

Wisconsin

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A pet dog got caught in a body grip trap left for wildlife set on a road. The dog required vet care.

Pagina 15 di 27

20/11/2009

Wisconsin

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A walker coon hound hunting dog got caught in a body grip trap left for wildlife set on a road near a trail. No apparent injuries to the dog.

Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Wildlife Management

18/11/2009

Wisconsin

Cow (Bos taurus)

A pet cow got caught in a body grip trap left for wildlife set in a pasture. The cow experienced permanent injury.

Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Wildlife Management

05/11/2009

Wisconsin

Cat (Felix silvestris catus)

A pet cat got caught in a body grip trap left for wildlife in a marsh. The cat died as a result.

Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Wildlife Management

01/11/2009

Wisconsin

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

10-month-old shelter dog, caught in a leghold trap and finally released.

Idaho Mountain Express and Guide

01/10/2009

Wisconsin

Cat (Felix silvestris catus)

A cat got caught in a body grip trap left for wildlife.

The cat required vet care and experienced permanent injury as a result.

Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Wildlife Mgmt

20/03/2009

Wisconsin

Otter (Lontra canadensis)

Wisconsin An otter got caught in a body grip trap left for other wildlife set in a body of water. The otter died as a result.

Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Wildlife Mgmt

03/2009

Wisconsin

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A couple of kids were hiking with their dog the dog went close to the water, stuck her nose in a box to smell it, and got caught in a Conibear trap.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

14/02/2009

Kansas

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A deputy police chief heard his dog yelp. Bella became weaker, and then fell unconscious. Within six minutes, she was gone.

Salina Journal (article online)

30/01/2009

Wisconsin

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

A pet dog got caught in a body grip trap left for wildlife set over near frozen body of water. The dog died as a result.

Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Wildlife Mgmt

Alaska

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

01/2009

Dog caught in a Conibear. After 90 minutes in the trap, she survived, losing only a couple of broken teeth.

Private person (Trapping Incident Reports di Born Free USA)

Pagina 16 di 27

Ch. 3 SCIENTIFIC CLAIMS

3.1 Sierra Club’s policy on trapping of wildlife Sierra Club is the oldest and accredited organization of environmental protection in the United States; founded in 1892, it has always been an important reference point for all federal states in the development of environmentally policies. th On 19 May, the Sierra Club has strongly condemned the use of capture devices that hold animals (leghold traps, snares, conibear in every variant), as it is shown that such devices cause indiscriminate catches for age, sex , species and even serious injury, suffering and even death for both animals "target" species that "non-target".

Sierra Club defines all types of body-gripping traps and snares, as ecologically indiscriminate and unnecessarily cruel and formally objects to use them.

Below is the full text of the policy approved by the Sierra Club, and published on the website of the association (http://www.sierraclub.org/policy/conservation/Trapping-Wildlife.pdf):

Policy on Trapping of Wildlife Use of body-gripping devices* – including leghold traps, snares, and Conibear® traps – are indiscriminate to age, sex and species and typically result in injury, pain, suffering, and/or death of target and non-target animals.

The Sierra Club considers body-gripping, restraining and killing traps and snares to be ecologically indiscriminate and unnecessarily inhumane and therefore opposes their use. The Sierra Club promotes and supports humane, practical and effective methods of mitigating human-wildlife conflicts and actively discourages the use of inhumane and indiscriminate methods.

Sierra Club recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples under federal laws and treaties granting rights of self-determination and rights to pursue subsistence taking of wildlife. *Body gripping device – includes, but is not limited to, any snare (neck, body, or leg), kill-type trap (such as the Conibear®), leghold trap (including steel-jaw, padded, offset), and any other device designed to grip a body or body part. This definition includes any device that may result in injury or death because of the mechanism of entrapment. Live cage and box traps, and common rat and mousetraps shall not be considered body-gripping devices.

Board of Directors, May 19, 2012

Pagina 17 di 27

3.2 Criticality of the main capture devices 

Steel-Jawed Leghold Traps and “Padded” Leghold Traps

o

Authorized in 42 states without restriction. More than 80 countries have banned leghold traps and 6 states have either banned or restricted them. More than 20 states still allow the use of teeth on leghold traps.

o

Description: the steel-jaw leghold trap is the most commonly used trap in the U.S. by commercial and recreational fur trappers today. Triggered by a pan-tension device, the weight of an animal stepping between the jaws of the trap causes the jaws to slam shut on the victim’s leg, or other body part, in a vice-like grip. Most animals react to the instant pain by frantically pulling against the trap in a desperate attempt to free themselves, enduring fractures, ripped tendons, edema, blood loss, amputations, tooth and mouth damage (from chewing and biting at the trap), and starvation. Some animals will even chew or twist their limbs off, so common that trappers have termed this occurrence as “wring-off,” which for them means the loss of a marketable pelt. To the animal left crippled on three legs, “wring-off” means certain death from starvation, gangrene, or attack from other predators.

On land, leghold traps are most frequently set for coyote, bobcat, fox, raccoon, skunk and other furbearing animals. However, leghold traps are inherently indiscriminate and will trap any unsuspecting animal that steps foot into the trap jaws, including companion animals, threatened and endangered species, and even humans. Trappers admit that for every “target” animal trapped, at least two other “non-target” animals, including dogs and cats, are trapped.

Aquatic leghold traps are most often set for muskrat, otter, mink, and beaver. Most animals trapped in water will either try to surface to gasp for air or will drag the trap under water in an attempt to reach land. Usually they die a slow, agonizing death by drowning, which can take up to 20 minutes for some species. Death by drowning has been deemed inhumane by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

o

Image:



Conibear

o

Authorized in 36 states without restriction.

o

Description: The Conibear trap consists of two metal rectangles hinged together midway on the long side to open and close like scissors. One jaw has a trigger that can be baited. The opposite jaw has a catch or “dog” that holds the trap open. Originally intended to be an “instant killing” device, the Conibear trap is designed to snap shut in a scissor-like fashion on an animal’s spinal column at the base of the skull. However, because it is impossible to control the size, species, and direction of the animal entering the trap, most animals do not die quickly in the Conibear trap, instead enduring prolonged suffering as the clamping force of the trap draws the jaws closer and closer together, crushing the animal’s abdomen, head, or other body part.

Pagina 18 di 27

o

Image:



Snare

o

Authorized in 30 states without restriction.

o

Snares are categorized as either body/neck or foot snares. Like leghold traps, they are a primitive device, simple in design and vicious in action. They are generally made of light wire cable looped through a locking device or of small nylon cord tied so that it will tighten as the animal pulls against it.

The more a snared animal struggles, the tighter the noose becomes, the tighter the noose, the greater the animal’s struggle and suffering. The body snare is used primarily on coyotes and is often set where animals crawl under a fence or some other narrow passageway. The body snare is designed to kill the animal by strangulation or crushing of vital organs. However, snares do not discriminate between victims and will capture any animal around any body part.

o

Image:

Pagina 19 di 27

Ch. 4 REGULATION IN THE FEDERATED STATES [See also annex: n.19 Best Management Practices (BMP) for Trapping in the United States, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies] In the following table is schematically shown the use of traps in the types "leghold", "conibear" and "laces" otherwise regulated in the 50 federal states.

The use of leghold traps is expressly authorized in 42 states; while in the states that have forbidden it, it is always possible to use leghold traps to capture wildlife, as a result of specific authorizations.

The sources of information to which reference has been made in the preparation of the present table are the websites of state institutions where are published information about the regulation of the practice of trapping fur animals (see references).

LEGHOLD

CONIBEAR

LACES

Control 24h (on land)

Control 24h (in water)

LEGHOLD

CONIBEAR

LACES

Control 24h (on land)

Control 24h (in water)

Table of the regulations of the catches in the States

AL - Alabama

YES

YES

YES

+

-

MI - Michigan

YES

YES

YES

-

-

AK - Alaska

YES

YES

YES

-

-

MN - Minnesota

YES

YES

YES

-

-

AZ* - Arizona

YES

YES

NO

+

+

MS - Mississippi

YES

YES

YES

-

-

AR - Arkansas

YES

YES

YES

+

-

MO - Missouri

YES

YES

YES

+

+

CA* - California

NO

NO

NO

+

+

MT - Montana

YES

YES

YES

-

-

NC – North Carolina

YES

YES

NO

+

-

NE - Nebraska

YES

YES

YES

+

-

SC – South Carolina

YES

YES

NO

+

+

NV - Nevada

YES

YES

YES

-

-

CO* - Colorado

NO

NO

NO

+

+

NH - New Hampshire

YES

YES

YES

+

+

CT - Connecticut

YES

YES

NO

+

+

NJ - New Jersey

NO

YES

YES

+

+

ND – North Dakota

YES

YES

YES

-

-

NM – New Mexico

YES

YES

YES

+

+

SD – South Dakota

YES

YES

YES

-

-

NY – New York

YES

YES

NO

+(-)

+(-)

DE - Delaware

YES

YES

YES

+

+

OH - Ohio

YES

YES

YES

+

+

FL* - Florida

NO

NO

YES

+

+

OK - Oklahoma

YES

YES

NO

+

+

GA - Georgia

YES

YES

YES

+

+

OR - Oregon

YES

YES

YES

-

-

HI* - Hawaii

/

/

/

/

/

PA - Pennsylvania

YES

YES

YES

-

-

ID - Idaho

YES

YES

YES

-

-

RI* - Rhode Island

NO

NO

NO

+

+

IL – Illinois

YES

YES

YES

+

+

TN - Tennessee

YES

YES

YES

-

-

IN - Indiana

YES

YES

YES

+

+

TX- Texas

YES

YES

YES

-

-

IA - Iowa

YES

YES

YES

+

-

UT - Utah

YES

YES

YES

-

-

KS - Kansas

YES

YES

YES

+

+

VT - Vermont

YES

YES

NO

-

-

KY - Kentucky

YES

YES

YES

+

+

YES

YES

+

+

YES

YES

YES

+

+

VA - Virginia VA WV - Virginia Occidentale

YES

LA - Louisiana

YES

YES

YES

+

+

ME - Maine

YES

YES

YES

+

-

WA* - Washington

NO

NO

NO

+

+

MD - Maryland

YES

YES

YES

+

-

WI - Wisconsin

YES

YES

YES

+

-

MA* - Massachusetts

NO

NO

NO

+

+

WY - Wyoming

YES

YES

YES

-

-

STATES/ TRAPS AUTHORIZED

STATES/ TRAPS AUTHORIZED

+ = is mandatory monitoring of traps at least once every 24h; - = the control can take place in a time greater than 24h.

AZ* = All body gripping traps and snares are prohibited on public land as a result of a ballot initiative passed in 1994. Bodygriping traps are allowed on private land. Snares are not permitted, except those not designed to kill for purpose of scientific research, sport falconry, or relocation.

CA* = A state ballot initiative in 1998 banned the use of body-griping traps for commercial and recreational trapping. Leghold traps, Conibear traps, and snares can be used for nuisance wildlife control and human health and safety.

Pagina 20 di 27

CO* = A state ballot initiative in 1996 banned body gripping traps. The ban effectively covers recreational and commercial fur trapping. Exemptions exist for control of wildlife damage to commercial crops and livestock on private land, to protect public health and safety, and for bona fide scientific research. Leghold traps used for these purposes must be padded when set on land.

FL* = Leg-hold traps may be used only by permit from the Executive Director of the Commission.

HI* = There is no recreational trapping in Hawaii. However, traps and snares have been used for certain types of wildlife damage.

MA* = A state ballot initiative in 1996 banned body-gripping traps. Special permits may be issued to use Conibear traps for certain types of wildlife damage.

RI* = Leghold traps are allowed with a special permit from the Director of the Department of Environmental Management.

WA* = Leghold traps, conibear traps, and snares are prohibited for the capture of mammals for recreation or commerce in fur. Conibear traps in water, padded leghold traps, or a non-strangling type of foot snare can be used with a special permit for protecting human health and safety and wildlife conflicts (not to exceed 30 days and a non-lethal control tool must be attempted first), protection of threatened and endangered species, and for use in “legitimate wildlife research” (excluding Conibear traps).

Useful to remember that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), has developed a project for the identification of best practices to capture, called Best Management Practices (BMP).

The BMP is presented as a project which aims to assess animal welfare, identify tools and techniques for capturing effective, and develop recommendations for the State agencies and the Departments of Fisheries and Wildlife to be taken in state programs management.

However, specification sheets processed by AFWA, the capture tools described and proposed are merely variants of leghold traps.

In the 19 sheets drawn up for as many animal species, the word “leghold” never appears, but it is clear that the various types of traps proposed (padded jaw traps, coil-spring trap, double jaw traps, etc.) are nothing more than leghold traps, as for the design and methods of use are fully covered by the definition given to article 1 EEC Regulation 3254/91 (see attached sheets).

Some examples of traps recommended by AFWA Target Design Name species

Design

Name

Target species

Coil spring trap

Badger, Beaver, Lynx, Coyote, Fox

Wide jaw trap

Coyote

Padded jaw trap

Badger, Fox

Double jaw padded

Fox

Laminated trap

Lynx, Coyote

Pagina 21 di 27

Ch. 5 WILD FUR TRADE According to Eurostat data (see table) in the 2008-2011 period, the U.S. has exported to Europe furskins (raw, tanned or dressed) for a total value of € 133,713,939.00. Most of the skins are placed on the Community market were imported from Italy (€ 9,062,862.00), specifically Italy imported 69.4% of the skins of wild felines (CN8 43018050 and 43021970), the 44.2 % of skins of wild animals (CN8 43023095), and 28.7% fox pelts (farmed or caught, CN8 43016000, 43021930 and 43023045).

Italy turns out to be the world's biggest processor of the skins of wild animals imported from the USA in the European Union.

Eurostat data on import skins from the U.S. in the 2008-2011 period (in €) PRODUCT/REPORTER 43011000 raw furskins of mink, whole, with or without heads, tails or paws

2008-2011

2008-2011

TOT IMPORT TOT IMPORT UE (27) IT

% IT on UE

45.968.961,00

2.619.996,00

5,70

981.433,00

30.720,00

3,13

43018050 raw furskins of wild felines, with or without heads, tails or paws

3.366.375,00

2.211.270,00

65,69

43018070 raw furskins, whole, with or without heads, tails or paws (excl. those of mink, lamb - astrachan, caracul, persian, broadtail and similar, and indian, chinese, mongolian or tibetan -, fox, marmots and of wild felines)

8.657.273,00

836.417,00

9,66

313,00

-

43.727.494,00

20.376,00

0,05

43021910 tanned or dressed furskins of beaver, whole, with or without heads, tails or paws, not assembled

458.174,00

1.595,00

0,35

43021920 tanned or dressed furskins of muskrat, whole, with or without heads, tails or paws, not assembled

30.438,00

-

0,00

1.015.365,00

23.510,00

2,32

5.329,00

-

-

248.548,00

-

-

43021960 tanned or dressed furskins of marmots, whole, with or without heads, tails or paws, not assembled

6.608,00

-

-

43021970 tanned or dressed furskins of wild felines, whole, with or without heads, tails or paws, not assembled

8.107.998,00

300.224,00

3,70

43021995 furskins, tanned or dressed, whole, with or without heads, tails or paws, not assembled (excl. furskins of mink, rabbit, hare, lamb - astrakhan, caracul, persian, broadtail and similar, indian, chinese, mongolian or tibetan lamb, of beaver, muskrat, fox, seal, sea otters, nutria "coypu", marmots, wild felines, sheep and lambs)

7.000.881,00

448.190,00

6,40

43022000 heads, tails, paws and other pieces or cuttings of tanned or dressed furskins, not assembled

2.136.434,00

1.447,00

0,07

10.870,00

-

43016000 raw furskins of fox, with or without heads, tails or paws

43019000 heads, tails, paws and other pieces or cuttings of furskins suitable for use in furriery 43021100 tanned or dressed furskins of mink, whole, with or without heads, tails or paws, not assembled

43021930 tanned or dressed furskins of fox, whole, with or without heads, tails or paws, not assembled 43021935 tanned or dressed furskins of rabbit or hare, whole, with or without heads, tails or paws, not assembled 43021950 tanned or dressed furskins of sea otters or nutria "coypu", whole, with or without heads, tails or paws, not assembled

43023010 tanned and dressed 'dropped' furskins

-

-

Pagina 22 di 27

43023021 tanned or dressed whole furskins of mink, and pieces or cuttings thereof, assembled, without the addition of other materials (excl. 'dropped' furskins, clothing, clothing accessories and other furskin articles)

135.120,00

-

-

43023025 tanned or dressed whole furskins of rabbit or hare, and pieces or cuttings thereof, assembled, without the addition of other materials (excl. 'dropped' furskins, clothing, clothing accessories and other furskin articles)

70,00

-

-

43023045 tanned or dressed whole furskins of fox, and pieces or cuttings thereof, assembled, without the addition of other materials (excl. 'dropped' furskins, clothing, clothing accessories and other furskin articles)

19.823,00

4.605,00

23,23

43023071 tanned or dressed whole furskins of wild felines, and pieces or cuttings thereof, assembled, without the addition of other materials (excl. 'dropped' furskins, clothing, clothing accessories and other furskin articles)

34.510,00

-

0,00

238.769,00

105.609,00

44,23

10.345.018,00

1.994.038,00

19,28

1.218.135,00

464.865,00

38,16

133.713.939,00

9.062.862,00

6,78

43023095 tanned or dressed furskins, whole, in pieces or cuttings, assembled, without the addition of other materials (excl. furskins of mink, rabbit, hare, astrakhan, carakul, persian, broadtail and similar lamb, indian, chinese, mongolian or tibetan lamb, muskrat, fox, seal, sea otters, nutria, marmots, wild felines; 'dropped' furskins; articles of apparel and other articles of furskin) 43031090 articles of apparel and clothing accessories made of furskin (excl. those of whitecoat pups of harp seal or blueback pups of hooded seal, gloves made of leather and furskin, footware and headgear and parts thereof) 43039000 articles of furskin (excl. articles of apparel, clothing accessories and goods of chapter 95, e.g. toys, games and sports equipment)

Pagina 23 di 27

Ch. 6 AFWA FUR HARVEST [See also annex: U.S. Fur Harvest 2012, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies] Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies collects annually data on fur harvest through State Wildlife Agencies.

According to the Annual report “U.S. Fur Harvest 2012�, during the season 2010-11 4.037.753 animals of 26 different species were captured (see table below): Badger Bassarisk Beaver Bobcat Cougar Coyote Fisher Taxidea taxus

Bassariscus astutus

Castor canadensis

Lynx rufus

Felis concolor

Canis latrans

Martes pennanti

10.633 Fox, Gray

225 Fox, Kit

205.712 Fox, Red

45.510 Fox, Swift

308 Gray Wolf

277.155 Lynx

6.827 Marten

Vulpes vulpes

Vulpes velox

Canis lupus

Lynx

Martes americana

Urocyon Vulpes macrotis cinereoargenteus

47.736

739

111.323

154

1.112

4.831

Mink

Muskrat

Nutria

Opossum

Otter

Raccoon

Neovison vison

Ondatra zibethicus

Myocastor coypus

Didelphis virginiana

Lontra canadensis

Procyon lotor

73.499 Skunk, Stripped

1.531.697 Skunk, Spotted

Mephitis mephitis

Spilogale

93.800

869

351.897

176.672

19.398

Squirrel

Weasel

Wolverine

Sciurus carolinensis

Mustela nivalis

Gulo gulo

2.311

23.609

1.042.610

8.557 Skunk, hog-nosed Conepatus mesoleucus

4

565

As indicated in the AFWA report, fur harvest data sources varied between agencies and years. Source of information included fur buyer, fur dealer and fur trapper reports. In some states, pelt tagging records and periodic trapper questionnaires were also utilized. Depending on the methodology used to collect these data in a particular state, the total figures for a particular species may or may not include hunter harvest.

For most species, the harvest data presented here are largely trapper harvest and should be considered a minimum harvest.

Each of these numbers represents a specific capture episode, which was effected through the prevalent use of leghold traps (but also Conibear type or laces), whose use is widely authorized by the States.

Pagina 24 di 27

Annex: 

Video: “Victims of Vanity”, 2011 Born Free USA



n. 19 Best Management Practices (BMP) for Trapping in the United States, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies



U.S. Fur Harvest 2012, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

References: Chapter 1 – Video-photographic documentation: “Victims of vanity – U.S. trapping report” -

Video and report “Victims of Vanity- US Trapping Report”, 2011, Born Free USA http://www.bornfreeusa.org/a10a_victims.php

Chapter 2 – Collateral victims: non target incidents -

Non-target trapping incidents database, 2012, Born Free USA website http://www.bornfreeusa.org/database/trapping_incidents.php

Chapter 3 – Scientific claims -

Policy on trapping of wildlife, 2012, Sierra Club http://www.sierraclub.org/policy/conservation/Trapping-Wildlife.pdf

-

Exposing the myths: the truth about trapping, 2012, Born Free USA website http://www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?p=53&more=1

Chapter 4 – Regulation in the federated States -

Talling J.C. & Inglis I.R. (2009) Improvements to trapping standards. EU DG ENV. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/biodiversity/animal_welfare/hts/pdf/final_report.pdf

-

State trapping report card, 2012, Born Free USA website http://www.bornfreeusa.org/a10_trapping_reportcard.php

-

Best Management Practices (BMP) for Trapping in the United States, 2012, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies website http://www.fishwildlife.org http://jjcdev.com/~fishwild/?section=best_management_practices

-

Institutional website: Alabama Source: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ‘Trapping Regulations’ http://outdooralabama.com/hunting/trapping/TrapAL.pdf

-

Alaska Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2011-2012 Alaska Trapping Regulations, http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/regulations/wildliferegulations/pdfs/trapping.pdf

-

Arizona Source: Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2012-13 Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulation, http://www.azgfd.gov/regs/mainregs.pdf

-

Arkansas Source: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Furbearer Trapping Regulation http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/HuntingFurbearerTrappingRegulations.aspx

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California Source: California Department of Fish and Game ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/uplandgame/docs/CADFGTrappingGuideJan2009.pdf e http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/uplandgame/docs/CADFGTrappingGuideJan2009.pdf

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Colorado Source: Colorado Division of Wildlife ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://wildlife.state.co.us/SiteCollectionDocuments/DOW/RulesRegs/Regulations/Ch03.pdf

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Connecticut Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2700&q=491358&depNav_GID=1633

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Delaware Source: Division of Fish and Wildlife, ‘Hunting and trapping guide’, http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Hunting/Documents/Delaware_Hunting-Trapping_Guide_2011-12.pdf

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Florida Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ‘Furbearer Hunting Regulations’, http://myfwc.com/media/1456328/2011-2012-Hunting-Regulations.pdf

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Georgia Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/342

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Hawaii http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/great_ape_state/stusgahist183D1.htm#s6

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Idaho Source: Idaho Department of Natural Resources ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/uplandFur.pdf

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Illinois Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/HuntTrapDigest.pdf

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Indiana Source: Indiana Department of Natural Resources, ‘2011-12 Hunting and Trapping Guide’, http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2343.htm

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Iowa Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/Hunting/huntingregs.pdf

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Kansas Source: Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism website Furbearer regulations, http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Hunting/Hunting-Regulations/Furbearers

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Kentucky Source: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://fw.ky.gov/trappingregs.asp

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Louisiana Source: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries‘ Trapping Regulations’, http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/publication/34601-louisiana-trapping-regulations-20112012/louisiana_trapping__regulations_2011-2012.pdf

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Maine Source: Main Hunting and Trapping. The official 2011-2012 State of Maine Hunting & Trapping Laws and Rules, http://www.eregulations.com/maine/hunting/trapping-rules/ e “2011 – 2012 Trapper Information” disponibile press oil sito web del Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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Maryland Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://www.eregulations.com/maryland/hunting/furbearer-trapping-regulations/

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Massachusetts Source: Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulations/abstracts/hunt_fish_abstracts.pdf

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Michigan Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resoruces ‘Trapping Regulations’,

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http://michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10363_10880-31600--,00.html -

Minnesota Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/hunting/2011/full_regs.pdf

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Missouri Source: Missouri Department of Conservation ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2010/03/2012hunttrapsumweb.pdf

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Mississippi Source: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/furbearer-trapping.aspx

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Montana Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://fwp.mt.gov/export/hunting/regulations/eBook/2011/furbearerRegulations/index.html

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Nebraska Source: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Outdoor Nebraska Hunting and Fishing Guide 2011, http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/hunting/pdf/huntguide.pdf

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New Hampshire Source: New Hampshire Fish and Game furbearer hunting and trapping regulations, http://www.eregulations.com/newhampshire/hunting/furbearer-hunting-and-trapping/

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Nevada Source: Nevada Department of Wildlife ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://www.ndow.org/hunt/seasons/fur/0910_furbearer.pdf e http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-503.html#NRS503Sec440

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New Jersey Source: New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2011/trapping_summary11-12.pdf

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New Mexico Source: New Mexico Game and Fish 2012-2013 Big Game and Furbearers Regulations, http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/publications/documents/rib/2012/sections/furbearers.pdf

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New York Source: New York Department of Environmental Conservation, ‘Trapping regulation’, http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9209.html

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North Carolina Source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://www.ncwildlife.org/Trapping/LawsSafety.aspx

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North Dakota Source: North Dakota Natural Resources Conservation Service, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov

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Ohio Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/trapping.aspx#regulations

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Oklahoma Source: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://www.eregulations.com/oklahoma/hunting/furbearers/

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Oregon Source: Oregon Department of fish and wildlife, ‘Oregon furbearer trapping and hunting regulation’ http://dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/small_game/regulations/docs/2010-2012_Furbearer_Regs.pdf

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Pannsylvania Source: Pannsylvania Department of natural resources, Game Commission, ‘Trapping and furbearer’ http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/trapping/11357

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Rhode Island

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Source: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/huntabs.pdf -

South Carolina Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/pdf/furharvestbrochure.pdf

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South Dakota Source: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, http://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/trapping/regulations.aspx

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Tennessee Source: 2011 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide: Small Game Hunting, http://www.eregulations.com/tennessee/hunting/small-game-hunting/

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Texas Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife, ‘Fur-bearing animals’, http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/season/fur_bearing/

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Utah Source: Utah Parks and Wildlife, ‘Furbearers’, http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/hunting/hunting-information/furbearer.html

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Vermont Source: Vermont Hunting, Fishing, Trapping Laws and Guide, http://www.eregulations.com/vermont/trapping/

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Virginia Source: 2011-2012 Hunting & Trapping in Virginia Regulations Digest, http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/ e http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/2011-2012-virginia-hunting-and-trapping-regulations.pdf

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Washington Source: Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-141

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West Virginia Source: West Virginia Department of Natural Resources hunting and trapping regulations, http://www.wvdnr.gov/hunting/Regs1112/General_regs.pdf

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Wisconsin Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/trap/documents/TrappingRegs.pdf

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Wyoming Source: Wyoming Game and Fish Commission ‘Trapping Regulations’, http://gf.state.wy.us/web2011/Departments/Hunting/pdfs/Regulations_Ch4_Brochure.pdf e http://gf.state.wy.us/web2011/Departments/Hunting/pdfs/Regulations_Ch4.pdf

Chapter 5 – Wild fur trade -

Eurostat, external trade http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu

Chapter 6 – AFWA fur harvest 1970-2012 -

Association of Fish and Wildlige Agencies – U.S. Fur Harvest 1970-present, Statistics by State, Region and Nation