Lithuanian parliament committee backs ban on limb-crushing traps

LRT reported that the Seimas Environmental Protection Committee has backed amendments to ban the possession, manufacture, purchase, sale and use of traps and snares that catch hunted animals by squeezing their limbs. The only proposed exception is for displaying them in museums and at educational events.

Committee chair Linas Jonauskas, who drafted the amendments to the Hunting Law, said cats and dogs had been caught in such traps. “This is cruel treatment of animals,” he said.

Environment Ministry representative Almantas Vaičiūnas said animals caught in the traps suffer, with foxes among those frequently caught. He said hunting with such traps was already prohibited and supported banning their possession as well.

Parliamentarian Tomas Domarkas said beavers damage forests and land near water bodies and can be difficult to catch without these traps. He suggested an exemption for beaver trapping.

Parliamentarian Audrius Radvilavičius opposed the exemption, saying the proposal covered only traps that hold animals by their limbs. Selective traps used in hunting are permitted, he said.

The amendments are expected to return to the parliament’s plenary session on December 1, after committee consideration.

The parliament is also considering changes to the Code of Administrative Offences that would introduce fines of 600 to 1,700 euros for possessing, making, buying or selling snares and limb-crushing traps intended for catching hunted animals. The proposed exception would cover items displayed in museums and at educational events. Current fines of 300 to 860 euros apply only to possessing, making or selling snares intended for catching hunted animals.