LETTER: Glue traps are cruel and inhumane

By Joel Freedman
Niagara Gazette

April 28, 2008 05:35 pm

— Glue traps are cruel and inhumane
In the Spring 2008 issue of “PETA’s Animal Times,” Philadelphia attorney Elissa Katz described how she rescued a mouse from a horrible death.
“Sitting at my desk at work, I heard a noise and saw movement out of the corner of my eye. To my horror, it turned out to be a very small mouse stuck on a glue trap. For the next hour and a half, I methodically alternated between vegetable oil and warm water to free the terrified and injured animal. From that day on, Mouse became very bonded with me: sitting on my shoulder, eating from my hand and squeaking when he wanted a treat. He lived in a large enclosure full of tunnels, tubes, wheels and nesting spots for 2 years until it was time to make the very difficult but kind decision to have him euthanized. There is much to be learned and appreciated from a little mouse. I will never forget how he trusted me to free him from that ungodly trap.”
Animals trapped in glue traps pull out their own hair, or bite off their own legs in frantic escape attempts. Animals whose faces become stuck in the glue slowly suffocate, and all trapped animals are subject to dehydration and starvation. Glue traps manufacturers say that trapped animals should be thrown away along with the trap. Thus, the animals are forced to endure prolonged suffering.
Rodent infestation can be prevented by storing food and trash in sealed containers, sealing holes and cracks and by closing gaps around doors and windows. Before sealing a hole, however, make sure no animals will be entombed.
I am pleased that CVS, Rite Aid, Albertsons and Safeway have stopped selling glue traps. All stores should stop selling them. Buy only humane live traps, so that the trapped animals can be released unharmed outdoors.
If you encounter an animal stuck to a glue trap, pour a small amount of vegetable or baby oil onto the stuck areas and gently work the animal free. Wear gloves. If necessary, take the animal to a veterinarian for assistance or euthanasia.
As the humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer wrote, a person “is really ethical only when he obeys the constraint laid on him to aid all life which he is able to help, and when he goes out of his way to avoid injuring anything living.”
Joel Freedman
Chair of the public education committee of Animal Rights Advocates of Upstate New York