04-22-81 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES City Council April 22, 1981 Mr. Richard Kramer of the International Ecology Society appeared before the Council. Mr. Kramer stated that he was in favor of a ban on the leg-hold trap. Mr. Kramer stated that he contacted several veterinarians in the area and three were in favor of the ban on leg-hold traps. The Ramsey County Flumane Society also supports the ban. Mr. Kramer felt that enforcement of a trapping ordinance could be handled on a complaint basis. Kramer also stated that Dee Knaack supported the ban on leg-hold traps. Mr. Kramer was concerned that the ordinance the City is proposing would prevent the trapping of any animal that was a nuisance. Kramer felt there shou1d be a reasonable solution to this. Kramer informed the Council that the model trapping ordinance before the Legislature would prohibit the various cities from banning t.rapping. It was pointed out by Kramer that not one of the metropolitan legis1aturers have supported this bill. Kramer urged the Council to adopt as soon as possible a ban of the leg- hold traps making the exceptions of nuisance animals. Diane Husak, a resident of Little Canada, informed the Council that she moved to Little Canada because of the wildlife in the area and she wou7d like to see this wildlife preserved. Dr. Kimber1y Anderson appeared before the Council. Anderson stated that the 7eg-hold trap is a humane way to contol wil~life. Anderson recommended that the City follow the guidelines of the DNR with regard to trapping. Mr. Pogreba stated that Little Canada is a small community, and the Council shou7d consider the needs of their own city. Pogreba also stated that it is very difficult to enforce the State trespassing lauis. Mr. Ed Philpot of Oakdale appeared before the Council and stated that he has never had any problems with trapping as long as he received permission from the private ~ndowner to trap. Philpot also stated that the trapping season is during the time of the year when there are not a lot of people outdoors in swamps and water, and thus, there have been few problems with children getting caught in traps. Mr. Becker of Little Canada stated that if trapping is banned in Little Canada, people will turn to poisen, and this will create a big hea1th hazard. If there is too much red tape involved with being allowed to trap, people wi11 not comply with the ordinance. Mrs. Scalze stated that she has 100 acres of open space behind her home and people in this area are having a lot of problems with preventing trapping on their property. Scalze also stated that a petition was circu7ated around her neighborhood to prevent a resident of the area from trapping and it was signed by 100% of the propertyowners with the exception of the next-~oor neighbor to the trapper. Page -7-