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Politics & Government

Bills Would Protect Dogs from Traps, Encourage Teacher Contract Resolution

Sen. Chuck Wiger sponsored bills intended to stop dogs from dying in body grip traps, and to incentivize school districts to settle collective bargaining agreements with teachers by Jan. 15.

News accounts and personal stories of dogs dying in traps intended for raccoons and bobcats inspired Sen. Chuck Wiger to introduce a bill Wednesday that would restrict the use of body grip traps.

The traps—which are designed to kill their prey quickly by breaking their neck or windpipe—have killed at least six dogs in the state in recent months, according to a press release from Wiger’s office.

“We’re not trying to outlaw trapping,” Wiger said, “but we’re trying to reach a reasonable, responsible balance so that we don’t put the dogs in harm’s way.”

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The bill, SF1736, requires the traps to be set 5 feet above the ground or completely submerged in water to target their intended prey while limiting the risk to dogs, he said.

Twenty-five other states already have similar laws, he said.

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Wiger (DFL-Maplewood) said he’s already gotten a lot of feedback on the bill, and he had a meeting scheduled with a trapper in his district about it. While some trappers are concerned about the bill, they also realize there’s a problem, he said.

“If you have a pet, it’s like family” he said. “People, they were out in the woods … and suddenly your dog’s dead.”

Bill Would Encourage School Districts to Settle on Teacher Contracts

Wiger also co-sponsored a bill introduced last week that would give school districts an incentive to settle their teacher contracts by Jan. 15.

Districts previously faced a financial penalty if they didn’t have contracts settled by that date, but recent legislation eliminated the requirement.

“Rather than penalizing, it gives a financial incentive,” Wiger said. “We know it’s a very trying time right now (for school districts) and this is just another approach.”

School District 622 teachers have been speaking out about their lack of a new contract agreement.

The bill, SF1654, would give school districts that met the deadline $25 per pupil.

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