Bill > H709

This bill amends Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131, Section 80A, to regulate the use of trapping devices for furbearing mammals, specifically beaver and muskrat. It prohibits traps that grasp the animal's body or body part, such as steel jaw leghold traps and lethal snares, with exceptions for common mouse and rat traps, nets, and box or cage type live traps, including specific types for beavers. However, the bill allows for the use of certain traps, like "Conibear®" style traps and non-lethal restraints, under specific circumstances. These exceptions include situations where there is a threat to human health and safety, for scientific research, to protect endangered species, or for wildlife management between November and April by licensed individuals, all under regulations set by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Threats to human health and safety are broadly defined and include issues like flooding of water supplies, sewage systems, public ways, utilities, or critical facilities, as well as damage to electrical or gas equipment, and significant property or income loss from flooding or structural instability on agricultural or residential lands. The bill also introduces an emergency permit process through municipal boards of health for immediate alleviation of health and safety threats, with a ten-day limit, and outlines an appeal process to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Finally, it requires individuals issued permits to report detailed information about the animals taken and the methods used to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife within thirty days of the permit's expiration.