Trappers' double standard on private-property rights

Post date: Oct 7, 2014 6:18:18 PM

A good point has been made by Dog Lovers 4 Safe Trapping MN: there's a double standard in Minnesota when it comes to trapping and private-property rights.

My land:

A trapper/landowner may legally set a lethal trap or snare "on his own land!" without taking full, ethical precautions to avoid killing his neighbor's dogs, or those passing by on neighboring land (regardless of the neighboring land use).

Your land:

Unless you've carefully posted your land including the road right-of-way, a trapper may legally use "your land" for his lethal trapping and snaring--without even getting your permission. In MN State Statute, this is called "outdoor recreation." He's not required by law to take full, ethical precautions (additional regulations do apply, but they don't avoid killing your dogs or those of your neighbors).

Double standard. Unwise, unjust--and fiercely defended by the Minnesota trapping lobby.

See also: thoughts on private-property trapping regulations

WoodstockAdvocate_2012-06-14_BooneCounty_IL_GrassyDitchAlongRoad.jpg

County Road ditch. Photo by Gus Philpott, Woodstock Advocate.