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Code of practice for the use of small steel-jawed traps | AG0010 |
Bureau of Animal Welfare, Attwood
October, 2001 |  |
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1. Introduction
Small steel-jawed leghold traps are used to catch rabbits (both commercially and privately), for meat and skins and, to a limited extent, to control residual rabbits as part of wider control programs. This code is designed to provide information and instruction on the use and operation of small steel- jawed traps for the capture of rabbits. It includes advice on the most effective way of catching rabbits, while reducing the capture of non-target species, and minimising the suffering of trapped animals.
Increasing the effectiveness of trapping means capturing the maximum number of pest animals in the minimum time, using the minimum number of traps necessary to undertake the task properly and, consequently, reducing the exposure of non-target animals to traps.
2. Legal considerations
2.1 Vermin and Noxious Weeds Act, 1958#
(#The Catchment and Land protection Act 1994 now replaces the Vermin and Noxious Weeds Act 1958)
Rabbits are among the animals proclaimed to be vermin in Victoria. All owners or occupiers of land, including the Crown, are obliged to destroy or suppress vermin on lands under their control.
2.2 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1986
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is designed to protect individual animals from cruel treatment by humans, whether the animal is wild or domestic, native or introduced. The need to control pest animals is recognised but the methods of control using small steel-jawed traps have to comply with this Code. The penalties for inflicting cruelty on an animal are substantial.
The Act makes distinctions between large and small leghold traps and the Regulations define large leghold traps as having hinges not less than 12 cm wide and small leghold traps as having hinges less than 12 cm wide. Small leghold traps may be set or used only on such land and in such circumstances as the Act allows and then only in accordance with this Code of Practice.
2.3 Wildlife Act, 1975
The Wildlife Act 1975 is designed to provide a legal basis for planning the balanced conservation and use of wild animal resources, in the best long-term interests of the people of Victoria. The Act gives a degree of protection to all kinds of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians which are native to Australia (with the exception of mankind and the dingo) and to all deer, quail, pheasant and partridge.
The Act provides for persons who are appropriately authorised to capture or kill protected wildlife for approved reasons or purposes and using approved methods.
The use of steel-jawed leghold traps is never approved for taking protected wildlife.
3. Construction and use of small steel- jawed leghold traps
All small steel-jawed leghold traps used are required to be standard commercial production units and must not be modified by the addition of extra springs, teeth, or spikes on the jaws, and must be fitted with a swivel between the trap and the holding chain. Small leghold traps should be restricted to the trapping of rabbits.
Steps should be taken to avoid trapping animals other than rabbits. Sets should be restricted to sites of rabbit activity, such as burrows, warrens, dunghills, and runs.
3.1 Securing of traps
All traps set should be securely pegged, to prevent being pulled out of the ground by a captured rabbit. This is particularly important in sandy, soft, or cracking soils, where longer pegs will be required.
3.2 Checking traps
All small leghold traps set should be checked at least once a day and the number set restricted to a level that allows at least daily inspection of all sets.
4. Handling of captured animals
4.1 Target animals
Rabbits should be killed immediately after they are removed from traps, by breaking their necks. Sudden stretching of the neck ruptures the spinal cord and blood supply to the brain, and is an effective way of killing rabbits. A powerful, decisive action should be used to ensure sudden death.
4.2 Non-target animals
All foxes and feral cats caught in traps should be killed by shooting, before removal from traps. Shooting should ensure instantaneous unconsciousness and death, preferably by firing a bullet or a charge of heavy shot directly into the brain from close range. The brain of an animal is found in the upper (top) back part of the head (figure).
It is important to fire at the correct angle to the head to ensure the projectile travels into the brain and that the brain is damaged extensively. Remain calm and aim with care; wait for the animal to stop moving its head before taking aim. If possible, put the muzzle of the gun close to the head at the correct spot. Normal safety precautions and the laws relating to firearms must be observed. Other persons should be cleared from the scene, or should stand well behind the operator. High-powered weapons are not necessary for efficient euthanasia and only increase the hazard to people and property.
All reasonable precautions should be taken to minimise the numbers of wildlife caught in steel-jawed traps. If a wildlife is captured accidentally, animals should be humanely handled and, unless seriously injured, should be released at the point of capture. The 'Guidelines for the first aid and short-term care of wild animals and for the killing and emergency euthanasia of wild animals', published by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, details the correct ways of handling wildlife and the assistance that should be provided to injured wildlife. The guidelines include details of contact organisations and outline the roles they can play in nursing injured wildlife back to good health. Where trapping is conducted in remote locations and where professional assistance in dealing with injured wildlife is not available readily, captured animals should be examined closely and, if the assessment is that an animal could not survive independently if released, or that it would be subjected to substantial suffering, then it should be killed humanely.
The following guidelines relate to assessment of condition and methods of handling captured wildlife.
4.2.1 Assessment of condition of trapped non-target animals
Remain calm. Take time to observe and assess. Injured animals are very frightened at being approached or handled and may, in defending themselves, injure handlers. A towel, blanket or pullover is useful to subdue a small animal. Drop it over the animal, then wrap it around the animal so that legs or wings and head are secure. Some diseases of animals are transmissible to man. Take sensible precautions, especially those of personal hygiene. Be gentle when examining the animal, handling may further stress or injure it. Be realistic about the extent of the injuries and whether professional expert help is available for the animal. Compare the shape of each limb with its pair; are any limbs deformed? Run your fingers gently along each limb; are any bones protruding or broken? Most animals need all four limbs and birds need both wings to survive; some small birds get by with one leg; disabled animals should not be released into the wild. Loss or breakage of feathers may seriously impair a bird's ability to fly. A minor wound usually only involves the skin and perhaps some muscle; usually there will be no broken bones. Animals assessed as having minor injuries should be released immediately. A serious wound involves the skin, torn muscles and broken bones. Animals assessed as having serious injuries, particularly limb breakages, should be killed according to the following guidelines.
4.2.2 Euthanasia of trapped non-target animals
The main consideration should be that the method used is efficient and results in the quick and painless death to the animal. The most suitable methods of euthanasia are those that quickly produce rapid and severe brain injury.
Accepted methods are:
- Shooting (as detailed in Section 4.2)
- Breaking the neck, which is suitable for birds and smaller mammals.
- Skull fracture. Where shooting is not possible, a massive blow to the skull using a heavy instrument, causing extensive brain damage, is the preferred method of euthanasia.
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It is important to hit the top, back part of the head very hard, to cause skull fracture, brain damage and death. Ensure that the skull of the animal is kept still, so that accurate aim can be taken. Do the job properly. It is better to hit too hard and cause massive injury, than death not occurring.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act ,1986, approved by the Governor-in-Council on 1 September, 1987.
Issued by the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
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