Ontario’s proposed…

Ontario’s proposed amendments to restraining snares are problematic as no peer-reviewed research has been provided to support the change, the interests of the commercial fur industry and the farming sector are prioritized instead of the welfare of wild animals, and there is no consideration for the impact on animal welfare for the wildlife subjected to these devices as a result of these changes.

1) The province needs to publish the research findings it references on the ERO page so that the public can make informed comments on this consultation.

2) Laws around trapping need to prioritize animal welfare and should be informed by current, peer-reviewed science, not guidelines created by the commercial fur industry.
Relaxing cable restraints are not certified traps under the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards, which Canada is a party to.

3) Killing and restraining snares should not be used to trap wildlife in Ontario as research has shown that they result in negative animal welfare outcomes for both target and non-target animals. Snares are not certified traps under the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards and should be prohibited in the province.

4) Many countries around the world have banned snares entirely and it’s time for the province to end the use of these devices in Ontario as well.

5) Farmers should be encouraged to use non-lethal, predator friendly farming methods instead of trapping wildlife.

Thank you for your consideration to these very important points.