Killing traps, stop the slaughter
They blindly kill and maim thousands of wild and domestic animals every year in a deafening silence. Instruments of torture that undermine our natural spaces, traps are one of the most cowardly and cruel practices in existence.
Buoyed by our recent victory for ESODs (species likely to cause damage), who are their primary victims, we are taking action with the Minister in charge of hunting to demand an end to the certification of 13 trap models. If our request is refused, we will take the matter to the State Council.
Hours of anguish and suffering
Scattered throughout the undergrowth and countryside, traps have only one purpose: to slaughter as many animals as possible whose only crime is to be arbitrarily considered “undesirable”. There are cages into which animals are lured before the gates slam shut and a man comes to kill them off with a rifle, a knife… or a club.
There are snares, which constrict the limbs of those who get caught in them, or suffocate their victims for hours. And, of course, there are devices equipped with jaws, whose sole purpose is to break the neck or crush the spine.
Designed to kill small mammals, particularly those classified as ESOD, such as weasels and martens, these death traps are not selective, and they kill many other wild animals, such as fawns and even wolves. Our domestic companions are not spared either. Examples include the dog Red Collar who lost a leg, and Cooky who lost his life after hours of agony. The cat Tigrou also died, guilty only of having gone for a walk.
For an effective ban on jaw traps!
The ultra-violent nature of these devices is well established. However, twenty years after the European Union banned jaw traps, the authorities in our country continue to approve them by the bucketful, along with paddle traps, kill traps and egg traps*.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of individuals fall victim to them. This silent slaughter must stop. In 2019, after a strong mobilisation in which we took part, drowning traps were banned. On 13 May this year, we achieved a historic victory against the very idea of the ESOD classification: from now on, the capture of martens is banned throughout France, as well as that of many species in dozens of regions. Now is the time to build on this success.
One Voice is asking the Minister in charge of hunting to withdraw the approval of 13 jaw traps. If we receive no response or a negative response, we will refer the matter to the State Council in order to challenge the refusal. In the meantime, see our leaflet and sign to demand a ban on all these deadly devices!
* Traps consisting of a pallet or jaws with a bait system, sometimes imitating that of an egg. The system is triggered and the trap closes on the animal which then endures excruciating suffering.