Legality

• The legality of leg traps varies from state to state and country to country. Canada allows people to catch certain animals using in a leg trap. Many states in the U.S., such as Massachusetts, outlaw them completely.
  
  

Function

• Some states ban or severely restrict the use of leg traps because they can catch any animal, even an endangered one. In addition, some animal rights group believe it to be a torture device for animals.
  
  

Exceptions

• As of 2010, only eight states in the U.S. ban the use of leg traps. Even then, they usually have exceptions, such as using them for catching animals that threaten the public and pest control, as long as the jaws have padding.
  
  

Warning

• Violating leg trap laws usually carries a fine ($300 to $1,000 in Massachusetts) and possibly jail time (up to six months in Massachusetts). In addition, these penalties apply to each trap used.
  
  

Tip

• People interested the legality of leg traps can follow leg trap related bills through BornFreeUsa.org and write their representatives in Congress about their opinion on potential legislation.