Animal advocates are celebrating a big win after a recent court of appeals ruling upheld a New Mexico law meant to protect animals from traps, snares and poisons on public lands.
Jessica Shelton, with Animal Protection New Mexico (APNM) says the court decision is critical. For years, Shelton says APNM has worked to ban traps, snares and wildlife poisons on New Mexico’s public lands. Shelton says they were even reports of pet dogs getting caught in the traps.
“These are indiscriminate, unmanned devices that were being put on public lands, and they were capturing wildlife that should not have been caught, they were threatening endangered species,” Shelton said.
In 2018, the problem hit a breaking point when a senior heeler mix named Roxy was caught in a neck snare while walking on public lands in northern New Mexico. “Her person tried to release her and save her, but couldn’t loosen the device around her neck, and so she died in his arms,” Shelton said.
In 2021, the state legislature passed Roxy’s Law, which put restrictions on these types of devices and methods on public lands. In 2023, the National Trappers Association and Fur Takers of America sued the state, claiming the law unfairly favors Native Americans. They pointed to a provision in the law, allowing people to trap for religious or ceremonial reasons. Last September, their case was dismissed, and after filing an appeal the 10th court of appeals upheld that decision in June. The court stated the claims have no standing and are premature.