What's happening
This bill allows regulated use of live restraint cable devices for capturing certain wildlife, with specific requirements and training for trappers.
Why it matters
Introduces strict safety requirements. for live restraint cable devices, mandating features like swivels, relaxing locks, deer stops, and breakaway devices—these are designed to reduce unnecessary harm to both target and non-target animals (such as deer), indicating a move toward more humane wildlife management.
Limits the trapping season. by specifying that live restraint cables may only be used during periods set by the Department of Environmental Conservation, starting no earlier than December 1, which helps protect wildlife during sensitive times like breeding or migration.
Mandates daily trap checks. (at least once every 24 hours), which reduces the risk of prolonged animal suffering and increases the likelihood that non-target species can be released unharmed.
Requires specialized training for trappers,. ensuring that only individuals who have completed a department-approved course in the correct construction and use of these devices can legally use them—this aims to prevent misuse and improve compliance with animal welfare standards.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Cable Restraint Traps
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 62
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 372c
- Amend and recommit to environmental conservation
- Print number 372b
- Amend and recommit to environmental conservation
- Print number 372a
- Amend and recommit to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Regulate Wildlife Cable Restraints
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Addie Jenne
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
372--C
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation -- recommitted to the Committee on Environmental Conservation in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the regulation of live restraint cable devices to take wildlife; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 5 of section 11-1101 of the environmental conservation law is amended to read as follows:
5. a. Except as provided in subdivision 1 or 2 of section 11-0523 of this article with respect to destructive and menacing wildlife, no person shall (a) set or use a trap of the leg-gripping type having teeth in the jaws; (b) set a leg hold trap so that wildlife when caught is suspended; (c) use, locate or set a snare or a device consisting of a noose of any material whereby an animal may be taken.
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph a of this subdivision, the department may, by regulation, authorize the use of live restraint cable devices to take coyote and other species as allowed by the department in the state. The use of live restraint cable devices shall only be permitted for a period of time specified by the department beginning no earlier than December first. Such regulations shall include live cable restraint devices consisting of at least one swivel, a relaxing
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04318-05-8
S. 372--C 2
lock, a deer stop, and a break away device. Such regulations shall also require that any person using a live restraint cable shall check such device at least once every twenty-four hours. For the purposes of this provision:
(a) a swivel is a device incorporated at the end of the cable restraint which allows the captured animal to freely rotate;
(b) a relaxing lock is a device that allows the cable loop to stop restricting when the captured animal stops pulling;
(c) a deer stop is a device incorporated into the loop of the cable restraint that keeps the cable restraint from closing beyond a specified circumference to allow deer that may encounter the restraint to escape; and
(d) a break away device allows the loop of the cable restraint to break open when a specified amount of force is applied.
Trappers using live cable restraint devices must complete a training course in their construction and use offered by the department.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed February 16, 2021.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the regulation of live restraint cable devices to take wild- life; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expira- tion thereof
Purpose or general idea of bill
To authorize the department of environmental conservation to authorize the use of and to regulate live restraint cable devices in certain areas of the State.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends the environmental conservation law section 11-1101 (5) to authorize the department of environmental conservation, by regulation, to permit the use of live cable restraint devices to take coyote and other species as allowed by the department. These regulations shall include live cable restraint devices consisting of at least (1) one swivel (a device incorporated at the end of the cable restraint which allows the captured animal to freely rotate); (2) a relaxing lock (a device that allows the cable loop to stop restricting when the captured animal stops pulling); (3) a deer stop (a device incorporated into the loop of the cable restraint that keeps the cable restraint from closing beyond a specified circumference to allow deer that may encount- er the restraint to escape); and (4) a break away device (allows the loop of the cable restraint to break open when a specified amount of force is applied). Also requires traps to be checked a minimum of once every 24 hours and that the season shall start no sooner than December 1.
Read the full memo (618 words)
Section 1 also provides that trappers using live cable restraint devices must complete a training course in their construction and use offered by the department.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Live cable restraints are an effective tool for the live capture of many furbearer species including coyotes and meet international humane stand- ards.
The association of Fish and Wildlife agencies has approved them as a best management practice for coyotes, red fox, grey fox, raccoon, beaver and bobcat.
The October 2012 management plan for bobcat in New York State talks about cable restraints as a best management practice approved device. Trappers use cable restraints as they are an inexpensive, efficient safe and easy to use tool. Cable restraints are effective in all weather conditions and are not as susceptible to the freeze-thaw conditions of the State.
Live restraint devices operate on the same principle as a "linked" relaxing dog collar: when the animal pulls on the cable, the loop closes down: when the animal stops pulling, the loop relaxes. Consequently, animals captured in these devices typically show little or no injury. Live cable restraints are currently used in 38 states and most Canadian provinces. Missouri (2004), Wisconsin (2004), Michigan (2005), and Penn- sylvania (2005) changed their trapping regulations to allow the use of live cable restraints. All of these states have habitats, trapping conditions, and furbearer species that are comparable to those of New York.
The design features that are essential to the proper and humane func- tioning of live restraint cables are required to be included in the regulations to be established by Department of Environmental Conserva- tion. The use of live cable restraints is a humane way of trapping animals.
Prior legislative history
2015/2016 S. 2953C/A. 9462A Passed Senate 2014: A9137-A referred to environmental conservations; same as S548-C (Grisanti) passed Senate; 2013: A4023A (Gabryszak) referred to environmental conservation; 2012: A6203 (Gabryszak) referred to environmental conservations; same as S4213 (Grisanti) passed Senate; 2010: A6089 (DelMonte) referred to environmental conservation; same as S3542 (Aubertine) referred to environmental conservation
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed February 16, 2020.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.