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D.C. May Mandate Humane Treatment Of Wild Animals

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Oct 21, 2009 2:49 pm US/Eastern

D.C. May Mandate Humane Treatment Of Wild Animals

WASHINGTON (AP) ― D.C. Council woman Mary Cheh wants to make sure Washington's "urban wildlife" has a bill of rights, even when critters are unwelcome on private property.

Cheh introduced a bill Tuesday that would for the first time regulate trapping of animals, such as opossums, raccoons, bats and skunks in the city. As it is now, just about anyone can trap and kill such animals.

Under Cheh's proposal, trappers would have to be trained, licensed and regulated. Using kill traps or drowning such pests would be prohibited. Mice and rats would be exempt from the protections.

Homeowners would be barred from using inhumane tactics or traps.

Cheh says killing animals should be a last resort.  Maryland and Virginia already regulate animal trapping.

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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