WASHINGTON—The Humane Society of the United States today fired off a letter to Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas J. Spota calling for prosecution of the person responsible for killing a Sag Harbor resident's dog last month.
The dog died after being captured in an illegal trap set in a Long Island forest. The HSUS is also urging the New York Legislature to support a bill that would give local jurisdictions authority to restrict or prohibit trapping.
According to The New York Post, Gail Murphy was out with her dog Zephyr in a forested area of Long Pond Greenbelt in the Hamptons when she heard a distinct snapping sound. Zephyr came running to Murphy with a large metal “Conibear” trap locked on his head. Murphy tried desperately to get the trap off, but Zephyr died in her arms in less than two minutes, according to the news report. The Conibear trap is said to have had no identification tags as required by law.
Ann Chynoweth, an attorney and director of The HSUS Animal Cruelty and Fighting Campaign underscored in her letter that the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and Southampton Town police “have credible evidence of unjustified animal cruelty as prohibited by New York law. As you know, it is a crime in New York to ‘unjustifiably’ kill an animal, whether wild or tame, and whether belonging to himself or another."
Years ago Suffolk County passed legislation to ban traps due to public safety and humane concerns. However, a court overturned the ruling, placing authority back into state hands. Consequently, state-level bills were introduced by New York State Senator Frank Padavan (S2142) and Assembly Member Alexander B. “Pete” Grannis (A1835) which give counties the much needed option of restricting or banning dangerous traps within municipal limits. The proposed legislation includes all types of traps, both Conibear and leghold. The bills must first pass through the Environmental Conservation Committees in order to become law. The Chairs of these committees are both Long Islanders: Assembly Member Thomas DiNapoli and Senator Carl Marcellino.
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation and Southampton Town police are investigating the case surrounding Zephyr’s death.
Editor's Note: A copy of the letter to District Attorney Spota is available upon request.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization representing more than 9.5 million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and fieldwork. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country. On the Web at www.hsus.org.
