PETA Speaks Against Chester Beaver Traps

CHESTER - The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA, organization spoke out against the town's plans to trap beavers which have caused damage throughout town.

According to a press release from PETA, "the town of Chester is in the process of setting lethal beaver traps in a local waterway (Cedar Lake)."

An action alert was posted on the Website urging visitors to "contact Chester First Selectman Tom Marsh and ask him to remove the traps immediately and explore humane options instead."

Marsh was unavailable for comment at press time.

In December, Marsh said problems with beavers have been problematic resulting in flooding of homes near Cedar Lake and damage to trees in the Laurel Hill Cemetery causing a threat to the cemetery's historical tombstones.

At that time, Marsh said he wanted to create a solution based on recommendations of the Natural Wildlife Division of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.

Representatives from the division have visited sites destroyed by beavers and determined that damage was also occurring in the Cockaponset State Forrest.

PETA said The American Veterinary Medical Association condemns death by drowning and it can take up to 24 minutes for a beaver to drown.

"The body-gripping traps used to capture and kill beavers cause immeasurable suffering. Beavers who struggle and fight against the traps sustain lacerations and internal injuries," a PETA press release stated.

Stephanie Boyles, a Wildlife Biologist who works for PETA, said, "We encourage people to protect trees rather than beavers. Connecticut has a healthy beaver population and once an animal is removed, another beaver could come to take their place."

However, according to the "Beavers in Connecticut" booklet on the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection website, "in situations where the presence of beavers cannot be tolerated or the landowner wishes to control the number of beavers on his/her property, trapping during the regulated winter trapping season is the most effective approach."