Agenda - 10-05-1999 - 10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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ANIMAL PROTECTION SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY 1 061 AIRPORT ROAD • CHAPEL HILL. NORTH CAROLINA 27514 TELEPHONE 919-967-7383 • FAX 919-987-7517 Rosie Summer, Director Orange County Health Department PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC Dear Rosie: For the last year and a half the APS Animal Welfare Committee has been researching leghold traps, conibear traps, and snares to determine if their use was humane. There is an abundance of materials available, and the Committee Member* have analyzed and sifted through myriad reports. They have concluded that these traps are inhumane and recommend a ban on the use of leghold, conibear, and snares traps in Orange County. While the materials they have prepared are very disturbing to see and hard- punching, it was tortuous for the animals in the pictures and for animals caught In leghold traps. And another disturbing fact is, like the dog and cat In the pictures, 87% of animals trapped are nontarget animals. You may be interested to loam that a recent poll determined that 74% of Americans are against the use of leghold traps. We are asking the Commissioner* of Orange County to read this report and to vote to add the following ban to the Orange County Animal Ordinance. A copy of the proposal is attached. We are also asking for your support. The NC Wildlife Resource Commission has shared with us that in 1998 there were only 3 licensed trappers in Orange County. Since there are strict limits on the numbers of animals that can be trapped (only 30 raccoons a season, for example) and the price of pelts Is very low (approximately $10 for a good pelt), the Committee feels that there will be no economic impact from this ban. But by putting the ban in place, there will be a huge impact on animal welfare. Please let me know If you would like to meet with Committee members. Si /71y, at Sanford Executive Director 81:199 2