I want to correct a statement in this article asserting that Conibear traps kill quickly as I believe it is misleading. While Conibear traps were designed to kill quickly, they often fail to. And they can catch as many as two “non-target” animals -- including dogs and cats and even endangered species -- for every “target” animal.

Leghold traps, Conibear traps and snares maim and kill, posing a public safety hazard. Yet traps remain legal in most states, including Alaska, and they are widely used.

Because traps do not discriminate, bald eagles are victims. The “non-target” victims include family dogs and cats, birds and essentially any animal unlucky enough to trigger the trap or snare. Many die.

For a listing of animals that have been caught in traps, go to http://www.bancrueltraps.com/b_nontarget_char... . If your animal has been caught in a trap, submit a report at http://www.bancrueltraps.com/incident_report.... .

While 75% of Americans believe trapping should be prohibited, the law does not reflect that.

If the law doesn’t change, our pets and wildlife won’t have a leg to stand on.