BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 789
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 17, 2013

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                   AB 789 (Williams) - As Amended:  March 21, 2013 

          Policy Committee:                              Water, Parks and  
          Wildlife     Vote:                            15-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:   
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill limits the size of conibear traps in order to prevent  
          the killing of dogs and other non-target wildlife.   
          Specifically, this bill:  

           1) Reduces the maximum size of conibear traps (spring-loaded  
             body-crushing traps without teeth) used to kill mammals,  
             except where they are submerged, partially submerged, or set  
             in a managed wetland,  from 10 inches by 10 inches to 6  
             inches by 6 inches;

           2) Requires a sign warning that dogs should be kept away from  
             areas where conibear traps are set on publicly owned land or  
             land that is open to the public;  

           3) Prohibits killing any trapped mammal by intentional  
             drowning, injection with any chemical not sold for the  
             purpose of euthanizing animals, or thoracic compression. 

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          One-time minor, absorbable cost to the Department of Fish and  
          Wildlife to update trap testing materials and trapping licenses.  


           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale.    The author states that, like other traps,  
            conibear traps are non-selective in capturing and often kill  
            any animal that comes in contact.  The author cites a 1987 by  
            the Ontario Trappers Association study entitled Traps and Trap  








                                                                  AB 789
                                                                  Page  2

            Research where tests results showed conibear traps capturing  
            up to two non-target animals per target animal, and other  
            research indicating the most common non-target victims were  
            domestic dogs and cats.

            This bill will help prevent the unintended killing of domestic  
            and non-target animals by restricting the size and use of  
            conibear traps.   This bill also prohibits inhumane methods of  
            killing the animals once they are trapped.

           2)Background.   Conibear traps are used to catch beaver and other  
            nuisance wildlife animals. Many states have limited the size  
            of conibear-type traps in order to prevent the killing of  
            non-target species, including domestic pets.  California,  
            Texas and Tennessee are the only states to allow conibear  
            traps that are 10 by 10 inches.  Six states have restricted  
            conibear traps to 6 by 6 inches and ten have completely  
            prohibited them on land.  

             This bill is consistent with the 2013 American Veterinary  
            Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals.   
            The Guidelines indicates when euthanizing animals, humane  
            techniques to induce the most rapid, painless and  
            distress-free death should be used.

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)  
          319-2081