The HSUS Asks New York Wildlife Official to Pardon Bobcats and Fishers from Cruel Traps as Last Act in Office

December 21, 2006

WASHINGTON – In a letter sent today, The Humane Society of the United States is asking the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan to grant a pardon to bobcats and fishers expected to die in "experimental" fur trapping seasons as her last act before leaving office.

The letter to Sheehan, who is expected to lose her position when the new administration begins in January, denounces the "experimental" trapping seasons of bobcats and fishers as cruel, of limited scientific value and a likely first step toward more fur trapping seasons. The seasons started in November and will last for three years.

"I hope you will grant a pardon to the bobcats and fishers as one of your last acts before you depart office," says Sherry Ramsey, New York State director for The Humane Society of the United States in the letter to Sheehan.  "An end to these needless experimental seasons will spare these animal unnecessary suffering and death at the hands of fur trappers."

The DEC says the new three-year "experimental" seasons for the two animals will be used for the collection of useful population and management data.  However, gaining accurate population information is unlikely from the experimental killing, and trappers are allowed to keep and sell the pelts of both animals to the fur trade. 

The experimental bobcat trapping season is currently underway in areas previously closed to bobcat trapping for over 20 years, include parts of Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Broome and Chenango counties.  The experimental season for fishers is a month-long extension of the current season in parts of Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence and Franklin counties.

Two common types of traps sets for furbearing animals in New York—steel-jaw leghold traps and body-crushing Conibears—are indiscriminate, causing suffering, injury, and death to not only the trappers' intended victims, but also domestic dogs and cats, deer, birds, and other animals that trigger them.  The HSUS encourages the public to avoid buying or wearing any items that contain fur in order to decrease the demand for pelts that sends trappers into the woods with these devices.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with nearly 10 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection, and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country.