Bill > A00667

This bill proposes to prohibit the use of leg-gripping traps in New York State by amending several sections of the environmental conservation law. Specifically, the bill removes previous provisions that allowed leg-gripping traps with certain specifications, such as those with teeth in the jaws or traps with specific jaw spreads. The changes apply to various contexts, including trapping wildlife on licensed premises and taking unprotected wild birds or predatory wildlife. The bill effectively bans leg-gripping traps across different scenarios, eliminating previous exceptions that permitted their use under certain conditions like specific trap dimensions or water-based trapping of beaver and otter. Additionally, the bill removes requirements about trap covering and pan tensioning devices that were previously mandated for leg-gripping traps. The legislation aims to restrict the use of these types of traps, which can cause significant harm to animals by gripping their legs, potentially causing injury or distress. The bill will go into effect 30 days after becoming law, providing a short transition period for those currently using such traps.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A667