Albany - The State Department of Environmental Conservation has extended emergency regulations that will help reduce or eliminate the capture or killing of pets in body-gripping traps.

The extension was filed with the Department of State on Dec. 11, 2007. New York's 2007-08 trapping season opened on Oct. 25 in most areas of the state and the restrictions apply to the setting and use of body-gripping traps.

The extended regulation will be in effect for 60 days. During this period, the Department will review comments received from the public on a proposed permanent rule.

On occasion in recent years, pets, particularly dogs, have been caught and killed in body-gripping traps set on public or private lands. These types of traps are mainly used to catch animals such as raccoon and fisher. After careful review of the current trapping regulations, DEC determined that additional regulation is needed to minimize the chance that pets will inadvertently be caught in these traps, while maintaining their effectiveness in catching targeted animals.