Sale of glue traps for rodent control banned by Mizoram govt

Aizawl: The Mizoram government has directed all district administrations to ban the use and sale of glow traps used for rodent control, an official of the state’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary (AH&V) department said.

The government took the decision on an appeal by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, the official said.
PETA India had in October last year urged the Mizoram government to ban the manufacture, sale and use of lethal glow traps for rodent control.

An AH&V department official said the advocacy body was informed last month about the action taken to stop the use and sale of glow traps.
In its letter issued to all deputy commissioners in December last year, the AH&V department had urged the district administration to “take all necessary measures to prevent the use and sale of glow traps in their jurisdiction” against rats. The use of glow traps to catch is a violation of the ban. Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 as well as Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972.
Last year, the state government also banned the use of severe restrictive gestation and farrowing crates in pig farming following an appeal by PETA.

Meanwhile, PETA India praised the Mizoram government for its initiative to stop the use and sale of glow traps.
The lawyer said in a statement on Tuesday that he strongly commended the state government for implementing the law for the protection of animals.

Earlier in its appeal to state governments, PETA India had pointed out the indiscriminate nature of glow traps, which trap not only rodents but also “non-target” animals including birds, squirrels, reptiles and frogs. are taken, which causes severe pain. A slow, agonizing death for a trapped animal, the statement said.
“Sellers of glow traps sentence small animals to a slow, gruesome death and can turn buyers into lawbreakers,” PETA India’s advocacy officer Farhat Ul Ain said in the statement.

Earlier, circulars banning the manufacture, sale and use of glow traps were issued by Chhattisgarh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
It states that the use of glow traps, which cause unnecessary suffering to animals, is an offense punishable under Section 11 of the PCA Act, 1960.
PETA India notes that the best way to control rodent populations is to make the area unattractive or inaccessible to them: by keeping surfaces and floors clean and storing food in chewable containers; Eliminate food sources by sealing trash cans, and using ammonia-soaked cotton wool. Balls or rags to repel mice (they hate the smell).After giving them a few days to leave, seal the entry points using foam sealant, steel wool, hardware cloth, or metallic flashing foam. Rats can also be removed using humane cage traps but must be released near a source to find adequate food, water and shelter to help them survive.