Traps and Devices
Leg-hold traps
Animal Welfare (Leg-hold Traps) Order 2007
Leg-hold traps have been used in New Zealand for many years to trap pest animals, such as possums, ferrets, stoats and feral cats, in order to protect our native plants and animals and control bovine tuberculosis.
The traps have metal jaws and are designed to catch and hold an animal by a limb, generally the leg or foot.
Internationally and within New Zealand, concerns have been raised over the humaneness of leg hold traps. The main animal welfare concerns are the injury and distress associated with being trapped, unnecessary suffering if they are held in the trap too long and the potential for suffering to continue if injured animals escape the traps. In addition, leg hold traps set near residential dwellings and in public areas such as walkways and picnic areas increases the risk of injury to pet cats and dogs.
After consultation the Government decided to restrict the sale and use of leg-hold traps in New Zealand. The new regulations came into effect on 1 January 2008.
The new regulations for leg-hold traps were made under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and superseded all existing local bylaws.
An exemption can be sought to use or sell a prohibited or restricted leg-hold trap in certain circumstances.
Failure to comply with the regulations is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 punishable by up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $25,000 for an individual or up to $125,000 for a body corporate.
From 1 January 2008:
- No leg-hold traps can be used within 150 metres of a dwelling without the express permission of the occupier, or in any area where there is a probable risk of catching a pet animal.
- The sale of all leg-hold traps of size 1 ½ or larger is prohibited, with the exception of commercially made size 1 ½ padded-jaw double-coil traps.
From 1 January 2009:
- No long-spring leg-hold traps of size 1 ½ or larger and no double-coil leg-hold traps larger than size 1 ½ can be used.
From 1 January 2011:
- No unpadded leg-hold traps of size 1 ½ can be used. Traps cannot be modified to make them padded.
- How to measure leg-hold traps
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Glueboard traps
2009 Glueboard traps are made up of a base (usually plastic) with a sticky glue layer intended to capture and hold live rodents. They are also used for insects, although this use is not affected by the Animal Welfare (Glueboard Traps) Order.
Internationally and within New Zealand, concerns have been raised over the humaneness of these traps. The main animal welfare concerns are injury and distress associated with being trapped, and the potential for inhumane disposal.
After consultation in 2008, the Government has decided to restrict the sale and use of glueboard traps in New Zealand. New regulations come into effect on 1 January 2010.
The new regulations for glueboard traps are made under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
As of 1 January 2010, the use of glueboards to catch rodents, including mice and rats, is prohibited, with the following exceptions.
- Commercial pest control operators
- People employed to conduct pest control on food production premises (excluding retail)
- Department of Conservation employees and contractors
- Boat operators transporting people or goods to or from islands that are free of mammalian pests (such as rodents), or who are working in close proximity to these islands.
All of the above people can use glueboards in the course of their work until the end of 2014.
From 1 January 2015, the use and sale of glueboards by anyone is prohibited.
The use of glueboards for insects is not affected.
Using or selling a restricted glueboard is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act, carrying a maximum penalty of 6 months in prison or a $25,000 fine for an individual, or a fine of up to $125,000 for a body corporate.
Approval to use or sell a glueboard where it would otherwise be prohibited (and where it is in the public interest and no viable alternatives are available) can be gained from the Minister of Agriculture. An application form will shortly be available on this website.
Page last updated: 31 March 2010