Declares that Fish and Game Council's rule allowing use of enclosed foothold traps is not consistent with legislative intent.
The passing of SCR124 would necessitate a review and possible amendment or withdrawal of the Fish and Game Council's regulation regarding enclosed foothold traps. Legislators have determined that these traps cause significant injury to animals, including non-target species, and compromise the state's commitment to animal welfare. The resolution invokes Article V, Section IV, paragraph 6 of the New Jersey Constitution, which empowers the legislature to review and invalidate administrative agency rules that do not align with legislative intentions.
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 124, introduced by Senator Troy Singleton during the 220th Legislature of New Jersey, addresses the Fish and Game Council's regulation allowing the use of enclosed foothold traps. This resolution asserts that the regulation is inconsistent with legislative intent and animal welfare laws established since 1984 under P.L.1984, c.37, which prohibits cruel trapping methods. The resolution specifically challenges the definition and use of enclosed foothold traps, categorizing them as a variant of the steel-jaw leghold traps that are banned due to their inhumane nature.
The resolution highlights a conflict between existing animal welfare statutes and the regulations imposed by the Fish and Game Council, pointing to a serious concern among legislators regarding the implications of current trapping methods on animal populations. Critics argue that allowing enclosed foothold traps not only undermines the legislative intent codified in previous laws but also risks the welfare of local wildlife by permitting inhumane trapping practices. The discussion surrounding SCR124 indicates that a significant portion of the legislative body prioritizes the humane treatment of animals over certain traditional trapping practices utilized in wildlife management.