Animal Welfare (Leg-hold Traps) Order 2007 in New Zealand

Extract

Leg-hold traps are metal devices with sprung jaws designed to catch and hold an animal by a limb when triggered. They can be used legally in New Zealand to trap possums, ferrets, stoats and feral cats. The humaneness of leg-hold traps has been questioned, however, with regard to the degree of injury and distress caused to trapped animals, the possibility of trapped animals escaping in an injured state and the suffering that may be experienced by animals whilst held in traps. There are also concerns that non-target, domestic or endangered animals may be caught and injured.