The following is a letter to the editor of the Missoulian, answering to this http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/managing-wildlife-should-include-tool-of-trapping/article_c8351566-afdf-11e1-8d80-001a4bcf887a.html patronizing opinion piece by a trapping publicist. Portions of this letter are excerpted from my book, Exposing the Big Game http://www.earth-books.net/books/exposing-the-big-game

A Trap Isn’t a “Tool,” It’s a Torture Device

Dear Editor,

Your June 6, 2012 guest column, “Managing wildlife should include tool of trapping” decried the use of “emotion” (bringing up the word at least 6 times) and seemed bent on denigrating anyone who has the capability for it. Why are trappers and their publicists so put off by emotion? Could it be that they’re afraid to admit they’re lacking in that capacity?

Psychologists have a word for people who act without emotion—without guilt, remorse or empathy—psychopaths. We shouldn’t be letting the psychopaths make the rules regarding wildlife.

A trap is not a “tool,” it’s a torture device. Unless they’re unable to feel empathy (see above) anyone who has witnessed the harrowing ordeal suffered by an animal caught in a trap should be appalled and outraged that trapping is legal. I have had more than my share of heart-wrenching experiences with the gruesome evils of trapping. I’ve heard the cry of shock and agony when a dog first feels the steel jaws of a trap lock onto his leg. I’ve looked into the weary eyes of a helpless captive who has been stuck in a trap for days and nights on end. I have come across the leg of a lynx, chewed-off to escape a deadly fate, and I’ve seen animals struggling throughout their lives on three legs.

Laws against cruelty to humans are crafted by people that rely on their sympathies for the victims and concern for the innocents. Those who have the capacity for empathy should be the ones making decisions relating to the welfare of our fellow animal species, not the cold-blooded animal exploiters.

Leg-hold traps have been banned in 88 countries and a few enlightened US states. Compassionate people everywhere must add their voice to the rising call to end this gratuitous torture for good.