A question of raccoon cruelty for N.J. Supreme Court

Exposing the Big Game

http://www.northjersey.com/news/a-question-of-raccoon-cruelty-for-n-j-supreme-court-1.1691281

They are a ubiquitous and often an irksome part of suburban life in New Jersey, known for carrying rabies and tearing through garbage.

Now raccoons are at the center of a legal battle between animal rights activists and state regulators, one that may soon head to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

NJDEP

Example of enclosed foothold traps (adopted 2015 for use in NJ)

At issue is a Christie administration policy that allows the use of a controversial trap that led to the capture and killing of thousands of raccoons by fur trappers earlier this year.

Raccoon trapping in NJ

Number of raccoons trapped before and after enclosed foothold traps were made legal.

2014-2015: 7,096
2015-2016: 12,607

Number of active raccoon trappers in 2012: 502

Price per pelt in 2012-13: $15.51

Estimated total pelt value: $96,675

Number of raccoons taken by county in 2012-2013

Bergen: 92
Passaic: 156
Statewide: 6,231

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