Rodent glue traps should be banned in B.C., Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) members voted Sept. 20.
The Vancouver Island municipalities of Saanich and View Royal brought forward a resolution to the UBCM’s annual general meeting in Vancouver saying glue traps are an ineffective method for controlling rodents as they fail to address the root causes of an infestation, including access to food and shelter.
The resolution further said the traps cause fear, pain and distress for captured animals, including rodents and non-target animals like birds, bats, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and household pets.
View Royal Coun. John Rogers said an animal can be left severely injured and left to suffer for hours, and even days, before dying of suffocation, dehydration, starvation, exhaustion, or exposure.
He called the traps “inhumane.”
The passed resolution asked for a province-wide ban on the sale, purchase, and use of glue traps.
Traps cause 'severe pain'
The B.C. SPCA has urged the UBCM to support the resolution.
“For years, the BC SPCA has advocated against wildlife control methods that cause prolonged suffering and endanger non-target species,” said spokesperson Sarah Herring before the UBCM convention.
“Glue traps cause severe pain and suffering to rodents and other animals who get caught in the traps like small birds, bats, reptiles and even pets.”
The BC SPCA said the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Medical Association have said such traps are not an acceptable means of killing vertebrate animals because they are inhumane.
The society said the traps have already been banned in Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, England, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Wales and parts of Australia and India.
PETA celebrates
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) welcomed the resolution’s approval.
“Vulnerable animals caught on glue traps struggle desperately for freedom until they give up and slowly die, exhausted and terrified,” said Tracy Reiman, PETA executive vice president.
“PETA is celebrating this big step forward for tiny animals and is urging the public to contact their representatives in support of a province-wide ban on these inhumane devices.”
“I am grateful to all the passionate advocates who helped make this resolution a reality and hope the provincial government will step up and ban these indiscriminately lethal traps,” Saanich Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff said.
“Animals caught in glue traps suffer horrific and prolonged deaths — and this fate is experienced by target and non-target animals alike.”
