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, 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, including the foot. Internationally and within New Zealand, concerns have been raised over the humaneness of leg hold traps. The main animal welfare concerns are injury and distress associated with being trapped, potential for escape of injured animals, and animals suffering if they are held in the trap too long. In addition, leg hold traps set around residential dwellings and in other areas such as public walkways and picnic areas increase the risk of injury to pet cats and dogs.
After consultation the Government has decided to restrict the sale and use of leg-hold traps in New Zealand. New regulations come into effect on 1 January 2008.
The new regulations for leg-hold traps are made under the Animal Welfare Act 1999. They supersede all existing local bylaws and there are penalties for breaching them.
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.
- 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.
Page last updated: 15 July 2008