California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill Wednesday that makes it illegal to trap animals or sell their fur, making California the first state in the U.S. to impose a fur trapping ban.
The Wildlife Protection Act of 2019 puts an end to a longstanding practice that was entwined with California’s frontier roots but that has steadily declined in recent decades with the rise of conservationism.
“Historically, fur trapping played a significant role in the extirpation of wolves and wolverines and the severe declines in sea otters, fishers, marten, beaver, and other fur-bearing species in California,” the bill states. “Because individual trappers concentrate their operations in limited geographical areas, they can locally deplete populations of the species they target, impairing the ecological functioning of the area and diminishing opportunities for wildlife watching in these areas.”
The legislation notes: “Prohibiting fur trapping would eliminate the needless taxpayer subsidized killing of California’s native species for the international fur trade, while better protecting the role these species place in our ecosystems and economy.”
Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez speaks during the Assembly session in Sacramento, Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Gonzalez’ bill, AB273, that now makes it illegal to trap animals in California for recreation or to sell their fur, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli): “Fur trapping is a cruel practice that has no place in 21st century California. Thank you @CAgovernor for signing our #AB273 to make our state the first in the nation to ban this necessary (and costly) practice”!
Trappers typically strangle, shoot or beat animals to death. The law specifically outlaws the use of the “steel-jawed leghold trap” or any trap that has sawtoothed or spiked jaws for trapping animals. It also prohibits the sale of “raw fur,” defined as any fur, pelt or skin that hasn’t been tanned or cured.
The number of licenses for recreational and commercial fur trapping have declined in recent years, according to The Associated Press. The state issued 133 licenses last year, resulting in 1,568 animals trapped and 1,241 pelts sold. Animals commonly trapped for their fur in California include coyotes, gray foxes, beavers, badgers and mink.
California also averages roughly 500 annual trapping licenses for pest control. Under the new law, it will still be legal to trap rats, mice, voles, moles and gophers.
State lawmakers are also considering legislation that would ban the sale of all fur products, along with a bill to prohibit circuses from using most animals in their performances in the state.
“There’s been a real change in attitudes about how we treat animals,” Gonzalez told the “Los Angeles Times”.
Environmental groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, have opposed fur trapping as contributing to declines animal populations, including sea otters and beavers. But other groups, including the California Farm Bureau Federation, opposed the bill, arguing ranchers and farmers hire commercial trappers to control wildlife and protect their crops. They say banning trapping and the sale of fur would end that practice.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/california-bans-fur-trapping_n_5d7039d7e4b09bbc9ef99517
My comment: And again, the farmers complain.
The farmers can protect their animals (which they have for slaughter, anyway) with fences. The peasants can not undestand any other way of living together with animals, except animals to benefit and to slaughter. And if another animal interferes this procedure, they mean it needs to be eliminated.
There is nothing more devious and cruel than traps.
And this devious method of killing is practiced by both: farmer and hunter.
Because I live up in the Black Forest, I have often found some such murderous installations and “edited” them accordingly.
Thanks California! it’s only a matter of time before other cities or countries introduce the same ban.
Best regards to all, Venus
Image: osgemeos
Hunting dogs are thus “trained”. Ask a hunter, he will claim that the foxes live a wonderful life in the 
World Animals Voice 