Whitehorse Star-- January 16, 2008
A civilized world doesn't trap By Mike Grieco
Trapping season is upon animals (supported by government). Snares, leghold traps and body-crushing Conibear kill traps ("cruel tools of the fur industry") are used to destroy the lives of animals for "their" fur! Traps are not selective. Many so-called "non-target" animals may also fall victim to these traps. (These animals may include coyotes, fox, bears, eagles, ravens, family companion animals, etc.)
Born Free U.S.A. united with the Animal Protection Institute and "has documented, through comprehensive review of scientific literature, that trapped animals may suffer severe physical injury, psychological trauma, thirst, hypothermia, and predation."They may remain in traps for days or longer before dying or being killed - often by bludgeoning so as not to damage the animal's pelt." (www.api4animals.org)
Trapping is cruel and unnecessary. It causes horrible deaths for millions of animals each year.There is no place for trapping in a "civilized" world.
It's a cruel occupation that must be abolished.
Please visit www.bancrueltraps.com.
Mike Grieco
Whitehorse
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Whitehorse Star-- January 21, 2008
Letter writer has fallen into a trap himself By Jim Lawrence
Re: "A civilized world doesn't trap", Star letters, Jan. 16.
The animal rights activists' agenda has only one goal. To achieve this goal, they will use quasi-truths and blind assumptions to convince people that any use of animals is cruel and inhumane. Even owning a pet is considered cruel and inhumane by these organizations.
Mike Grieco seems to have fallen into the trap by accepting this animal rights creed at its face value, in spite of its inaccuracies and innuendo. The fur industry in Canada meets rigid standards for traps accepted worldwide as being humane. The studies he quotes of the suffering are authored by other animal rights activists who, in reality, know as little about the fur industry, as Mr. Greico.
Trappers make a point of checking their sets daily, as to leave them longer would harm the fur. Animals that are not dead in the traps are dispatched quickly and humanely for the same practical reason, not to mention that trappers are not insensitive to animal suffering. Trapping is a way to harvest a renewable natural resource that provides people with fur for coats and other uses.
These garments are ecologically perfect, as when discarded they decompose naturally, unlike faux fur garments (often touted by the animal rights activists) that are made from petroleum and may take up to 300 years to decompose like plastic bags and containers. The trapper is the first in the forest to recognize disease among the fur bearers and other wild animals and is often the first to report these diseases to wildlife managers in all provinces.
Trapping has been an important part of Canadian economic life since the 1600s, and was responsible for mapping and settling this great nation. It is still a multimillion-dollar industry, onethat provides income for many urban dwellers. There is certainly a place in this "civilized world" for trapping and fur products.For more information, contact the Fur Council of Canada at www.furcouncil.com
Jim Lawrence
Corporate Affairs andCommunicationsThe Canadian OutdoorHeritage AllianceEtobicoke, Ont