Neighbor trapping with leg traps

I live on the edge a very small town. My outside cat has been out there for seven years wandering and catching mice, birds, rabbits, chipmunks. Now, my neighbor has started setting so-called "dog proof" leg traps to catch raccoon and other vermin on the farmland that adjoins our properties. It is really just for sport and not necessary. The area the traps are set in is about 100 yards from the edge of our properties, therefore I'm worried that my cat, being a veracious hunter, will get caught. I have expressed my thoughts on this, and they seem to shrug it off and say they don't think a cat would get into it, because it would have to reach into the tube to set off the trap.

They're using dog food for bait. My cat is locked in at night in her shed, but I've always let her outside during the day. I can keep her in all the time (she has a small outdoor enclosure), so could get fresh air, but I really don't think it's fair, because it deprives her of using her hunting instincts. How do I approach this? Some people seem to think they are entitled to the right to control animals, without consideration for others, which is troubling.

I am sorry you are facing this dilema.  Being as this is the cat site, and I am a cat lover, I am on the side of the cat and think trapping for sport sucks at any rate. But to be fair and see the other side, just as your cat has a right to exercise its natural instincts and hunt, then you have to respect the right of your neighbor to exercise his right to trap.  Since I assume your cat is fed regularly, and I also assume your neighbor is not eating the stuff he is trapping, both of them are hunting for sport...Now if your neighbor were to set the trap on your property, you would be able to do something about that.  But if your cat is venturing onto his property, I think there is not much you can do.  If the farmground doesn't belong to either of you, then you could approach the farmer and ask him to put a stop to the trapping.

Sorry to disagree, but there is a proper place for trapping and that close to village limits is NOT it.

Leg traps are illegal in some places (should be illegal in all places but animal welfare is not a priority for many people, sadly). Now he probably knows what's legal for him to use, and it's a long shot, but try contacting the wildlife agency in your area.

If it turns out he's within his rights to use such cruel contraptions, I do at least agree that it's unlikely a cat will get caught in one that requires reaching into. Some cats do try to dig things out of tight spaces but the stuff they use to bait raccoons doesn't appeal to most cats. That doesn't make it less cruel for the raccoons but at least your cat should be unaffected.

BustersMom said:

 
Sorry to disagree, but there is a proper place for trapping and that close to village limits is NOT it.

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I'd advise talking to whatever group or individual is the legal authority where you live. Unfortunately if it's legal your opinion is irrelevant in and of itself in the legal system. I do feel for your cat (liking animals while being mostly misanthropic adds to this in my case). I do hope it is proven illegal though pretty sick that those things are still in use.