CA Bills move on big cats, trapping, and bullets

June 6, 2013 

Hurray for the big-cat bills!

In late May, two bills that will protect California’s native big cats passed out of their respective houses, bringing the cats closer to better protection. Additionally, a bill that bans lead ammunition moved forward.

Sen. Jerry Hill’s mountain-lion bill, Senate Bill 132, and Assemblymember Richard Bloom’s bobcat bill, Assembly Bill 1213, made it off the Senate floor and Assembly floor respectively. They now await assignment to a committee. Gunning forward, the lead ammunition ban bill, AB 711, by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon and Assemblymember Das Williams’ trapping bill, AB 789, also made it to the Senate side.

If Hill’s SB 132 can make through the Assembly as is, it would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to use non-lethal procedures for removing mountain lions that have been perceived to pose an imminent threat to public safety. This means good things for the mountain lion and should result in the end to incidents where cubs have been needlessly killed for wandering into residential areas.

Bloom’s AB 1213 would make it illegal to trap bobcats in the area surrounding Joshua Tree National Park. It also would make the Fish and Game Commission amend its regulations to prohibit trapping within and around state and national parks and in national wildlife refuges as well. Though it doesn’t ban bobcat trapping state-wide, it would ultimately protect bobcats over a significant area.

Rendon’s AB 711 would require use of non-lead ammunition when hunting wildlife on California public lands. Lead left behind from hunting activities can devastate an entire ecosystem. This bill needs to shoot through the Senate to protect wildlife and begin a recovery process for an already stressed natural environment. Be sure to contact your legislators to give this bill that little extra fire power.

The trapping bill would help prevent incidental death of domestic cats and dogs by reducing the size of body-gripping “conibear” traps in wetland areas. It also requires signage notifying people of the presence of traps. Most importantly, AB 789 would prohibit killing any trapped animal in inhumane ways including chest crushing or drowning. California needs this bill to protect our beloved pets, but also to end unnecessary suffering of California’s wildlife.

These bills are in good shape, but with continued support from our members, we can guarantee a safer future for all of California’s critters. Please continue your much appreciated efforts to protect the future of California’s majestic wildlife. Contact your representatives urging support for these bills!

Edward Moreno
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