Activists Launch New Anti-Trapping Billboard and Protest in New Hampshire
In Defense of Animals and New Hampshire Citizens Against Recreational Trapping joined together with Manchester animal advocates in the midst of New Hampshire’s trapping season to support a statewide recreational trapping ban, and express solidarity with the thousands of animals who suffer and die in archaic traps. The demonstration was also in conjunction with the release of a new billboard displaying a family of raccoons with the words “Stop Recreational Trapping.”
On November 12, 2022, a dozen demonstrators gathered at the Massabesic Traffic Circle in Manchester, New Hampshire, to stand with New Hampshire Citizens Against Recreational Trapping’s new “Stop Recreational Trapping” billboard. The design draws attention to the cruel impact trapping has on wild animals and their families, picturing a raccoon parent and baby with a speech bubble message to drivers: “Please Don’t Trap Us.” The new billboard was overwhelmingly well-received and residents honked to show their support. The giant sign will be displayed through December 4.
Born Free USA covered In Defense of Animals’ and NH Citizens Against Recreational Trapping’s protest in a post on Facebook, applauding our efforts to raise awareness on this issue.
The majority of New Hampshire residents do not actively trap animals. The state issued only 422 trapping licenses in 2020-2021, a number that has continued to decrease over previous years. Recreational trapping has continued to decline as a livelihood as fur is being phased out across the country and it is less and less common to see in stores.
It is becoming increasingly obvious to the public that trapping is inhumane and that the practice tortures animals. Often suffering in pain for hours or even several days, many animals attempt to chew off their own limbs to escape. Traps also pose a danger to non-target animals such as endangered species, animal companions, and sometimes human children.
In Defense of Animals and NH Citizens Against Recreational Trapping will continue to work on this campaign to end the suffering of countless wild animals and bring local attention to the horrors of trapping.
For more on how to protect fur-bearing animals visit furkills.org, and stay tuned for more ways to support our campaign in New Hampshire.