Saxony: Animals suffer under insidious trap hunting

A cruel hunting method: kill traps are supposed to kill instantly, but frequently do not. Many animals die a slow and agonising death in these traps. In addition, species protected under wildlife conservation law are repeatedly caught in such traps. In Hessen, for example, the protected stoat appeared in the trap-catch statistics for the 2016/2017 hunting season.

In PETA's view, hunting with kill traps — still legal in twelve federal states — is incompatible with the Animal Welfare Act. In Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saarland, kill traps have already been fully or largely banned. According to a representative survey, a clear majority of Germans are no longer willing to accept hunting with snap traps. Although the Ministry emphasises that hunting with kill traps in Saxony is subject to restrictions, it was unable to provide figures on the number of animals killed in these traps when asked by PETA. The animal welfare organisation is appealing to State Minister Thomas Schmidt to ban the cruel kill traps in Saxony.

Under Section 17 of the Animal Welfare Act, it is prohibited to kill an animal without a justifiable reason or to inflict prolonged suffering upon it. Yet in hunting with kill traps, countless animals are subjected to unspeakable suffering, as these traps frequently do not kill instantly.

It is appalling that kill traps are still permitted and common practice in most federal states as a means of killing animals such as foxes, martens, or raccoons. Wild animals — including frequently protected species — as well as dogs and cats are often lured by bait or attractants and become caught by their paws or face, only to be crushed or mutilated. Their death struggle can last for days.

Nadja Michler, Wildlife Policy Advisor at PETA

PETA is urging the State Ministry for the Environment and Agriculture in Saxony to act quickly. In Germany, acceptance of trap hunting is declining. According to a forsa survey commissioned by PETA, the large majority condemns this cruel and abusive practice. 70 percent are in favor of a ban. Only 19 percent of German citizens agree with the use of these traps.

According to scientific studies and statements by renowned wildlife biologists, hunting is fundamentally unnecessary and even counterproductive. High hunting pressure usually leads to an increased reproduction rate. Nevertheless, more than five million wild animals are killed in Germany alone every year.

PETA's motto is: Animals are not ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or exploit in any other way.