In Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, my beloved cat was tragically killed in a bodygrip trap set just 60 yards from my home—a heart-wrenching experience that no pet owner should ever have to endure. To my dismay, when I reached out to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), they informed me that no laws were violated, as currently, there are no regulations requiring setbacks or prior notifications for the placement of these lethal traps. As you can imagine this has been a highly distressing experience and should not happen EVER when trapping is practiced ethically and responsibly. It is my hope that even trappers would support this proposal, considering many already practice these proposed law changes. 

This is not just about my cat; it's about protecting our children and pets from the indiscriminate use of bodygrip traps near rural residential areas. Bodygrip traps, known for their strength and effectiveness in catching wildlife, pose significant risks if they are placed without proper regulations. In Wisconsin, the Tourism Development and Marketing Council states that the state is home to more than 2.6 million households with pets. With this large number of pet-owning households, the lack of mandatory trap setbacks or notifications is a concerning oversight.

Currently, Wisconsin does not mandate setbacks for traps smaller than 60 sq inches—a prescribed distance from homes, —where such dangerous traps can be legally set. The trap size that killed my cat, along with many others was 50 sq inches. Other states, like Illinois, have enacted laws requiring specific distances for ALL traps and notifications before trap placement to protect both people and animals from unintended harm. It's high time Wisconsin follows suit.

Our proposal is straightforward: require mandatory setbacks and notifications for all indescriminate/bodygrip traps in Wisconsin. We urge legislators to introduce and pass legislation that will:

1. Require traps to be set at a minimum safe distance from any residential property 
2. Mandate that trappers notify local residents within a certain radius prior to setting the traps.
3. Establish penalties and enforcement mechanisms for those who violate these guidelines.

Implementing these regulations would significantly enhance safety measures for the residents and pet owners of rural Fond du Lac and across Wisconsin, reducing unnecessary tragedies.

I am calling on you today to support this vital change for the safety of our communities. Stand with us in demanding accountability and responsibility from those who set bodygrip traps. Please sign this petition to urge Wisconsin lawmakers to take immediate action.