Bill > H3563

This bill aims to further regulate the trapping of certain furbearing mammals in Massachusetts. It prohibits the use of traps that are designed to capture and hold a furbearing mammal by gripping the body or body part, such as steel jaw leghold traps, padded leghold traps, and snares. However, the bill allows for the use of common mouse and rat traps, nets, and box or cage-type traps. The bill also permits the use of prohibited devices by federal and state health departments, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and municipal boards of health to address threats to human health and safety, such as beaver or muskrat-caused flooding or damage. The bill requires the Division to establish a licensing process for "beaver and muskrat control officers" who can use certain methods to alleviate these threats. The bill also sets penalties for violations of these provisions.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H3563