Massachusetts
Animal Activists get mole traps banned
If you weren't aware of this why didn't the media tell you?
By an overwhelming 2 to 1 majority, the citizens of Massachusetts passed the so called
Wildlife Protection Act. This referendum question addressed three main wildlife issues in
the state. The first part dealt with the outright banning of traps and the severe
restriction of the use of other traps. The second part banned bear hunting with dogs. The
final part removed the requirement that Wildlife Board members (this is the regulatory
body overseeing wildlife sporting laws and management in the state) hold a sporting
license.
The law was written so broadly that it effectively banned the use of scissor
and harpoon mole traps. While there was room for the Wildlife Board to interprete
the law as applying only to animals that were trapped for fur, thus exempting
mole traps. We understand that the Animal rights activists (AR) threatened a
law suit if the board decided to allow mole traps. On April 22, 1997, the board
succumbed to the threat and banned traditional mole traps.
Here are photos of a few of the banned mole traps:
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Thus this law,
- forces people use potentially dangerous pesticides which are not necessarily
effective in controlling moles.
- allows people to own traps, sell traps but not USE these traps.
- forces people to put up with moles because trapping is the only effective
solution to mole damage.
Conclusion: The citizens of Massachusetts believe that you should have to put
up with your moles. Trapping is the only effective method to control them. Unfortuantely,
the traps that work are no longer legal to use. See our page on moles
Mole Message
Would You like to get mole traps legalized again in Massachusetts?
If so then please mailto:
info@aallanimalcontrol.com We would be happy to add your name to the
list. We will need your name, address and town. Phone numbers would be nice
as well.
9/2/02
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on resolving human/wildlife conflicts. We welcome suggestions, criticisms to
help us achieve this goal. The information provided is for informational purposes
only and users of the information use it at their own risk. The reader must
consult state/federal officials to determine the legality of any technique in
the reader's locale. Some techniques are dangerous to the user and to others.
WDC encourages readers to obtain appropriate training (see our informational
literature at our Store ), and understand that proper animal damage
control involves patience, understanding that not every technique/method works
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