A recent victory for Utah's wildlife has animal lovers and advocacy groups clapping their hands, if only momentarily. The measure to increase the trap-check requirement time from once every 48 hours to once a week was shot down on January 4th by the Utah Wildlife Board after almost unanimous opposition. 

Trapping itself is inhumane and cruel to animals. Traps aren't discriminatory; they'll trap whatever animal happens to walk into one. Bobcats, eagles, small mammals and even lost pets have been injured or killed in traps by mistake. Once an animal is caught, it can suffer for days until it finally dies.

Animals suffer from exposure to the elements, exhaustion, dehydration, shock and starvation. Some even chew their own limbs off in order to escape, and later suffer from infection or inability to hunt or escape from predators.

Utah Environmental Congress seeks to, "abolish animal trapping as a sport." Other groups are behind the movement.

Utah is surrounded by the beauty of nature. Wildlife should be preserved for all to enjoy, not suffering needlessly in traps. The Utah Wildlife Board listened to public opposition to extending the trap-check time requirement. 

Voice your opposition again and tell the Utah Wildlife Board to protect its wildlife and ban trapping in Utah. 

Photo credit: Harlequeen