Stop the Glue Traps!

"Horrified parents of students attending K-12 schools in Philadelphia recently contacted PETA upon learning that the School District of Philadelphia was reportedly using glue traps to kill mice in its buildings. We immediately alerted school officials to the extreme cruelty of these types of traps and asked that they remove the traps immediately and instead explore humane rodent-control methods. School officials responded saying that they have no intention of removing the traps. In the meantime, we are concerned that glue traps are currently being set out in various Philadelphia area schools!" When PETA emailed me with this terrible piece of information, I knew something had to be done. So what better way to encourage schools to get rid of their glue traps than writing a letter?

Recipients

Arlene C. Ackerman Ed.D.

Tomas Hanna

I was dismayed to learn that the School District of Philadelphia reportedly uses cruel glue traps to kill rodents in its buildings. Glue traps are one of the cruelest products on the market, causing immense and prolonged suffering to panicked, trapped animals who struggle desperately, tearing flesh, breaking bones, and becoming more entangled in the adhesive. Then they die--exhausted, terrified, and injured--from shock, dehydration, asphyxiation, or blood loss. Research indicates that death does not come quickly, taking more than 24 hours for some animals. And terrified, ensnared animals frequently lose control of their bodily functions, thereby contributing to the spread of disease in schools. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specifically warns against the use of these cruel devices, stating, 'We do not recommend using glue traps .... These traps can scare mice that are caught live and cause them to urinate. Since their urine may contain germs, this may increase your risk of being exposed to diseases.'

I respectfully urge you to join the many school districts--such as Princeton Regional Schools in New Jersey, Knox County Schools in Tennessee, and Virginia Beach Schools in Virginia--that have sworn off using these cruel devices. Please do the right thing and remove all glue traps from the district's buildings immediately.

Sincerely,

Kate Wallace