In 1996, voters in Colorado narrowly passed a ban on trapping with the use of leg-hold and instant-kill traps, snares and poison. It was specifically written in the initiative. What was also included was a provision to allow officials to trap animals that posed a health or safety threat to humans. They could also trap so-called “nuisance” animals for 30 days each year.
Within a few months of the passage of the ban, Colorado Wildlife Commission approved trapping of bobcats, mink, marten, coyotes, foxes, skunks, raccoons and badgers in box traps or traps designed to capture the fur bearers live. The approval of padded leg-hold traps was also carried out.
Animal rights groups are taking the Commission to court saying they have violated the spirit of the amendment, that the intent of the bill was to ban all trapping. Commission members argue that the initiative was written specifically naming types of traps and method of kills and it does not include live trapping.
A Colorado District Judge will make a ruling sometime in October.
Tom Remington
