Leghold traps
Leghold traps are smooth jawed, spring-operated traps designed to capture an animal by the foot or leg. Leghold traps are permitted to be sold, set and used only under specified conditions. The sale, setting and use of all animal traps is regulated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act) and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019 (POCTA Regulations).
The POCTA Act does not apply to anything done in accordance with the Wildlife Act 1975. The information below is therefore separated into leghold trapping of dingoes permitted under the Wildlife Act, and leghold trapping of other animals permitted under the POCTA Act and POCTA Regulations.
Leghold trapping of dingoes under the Wildlife Act 1975
A dingo unprotection Order made under the Wildlife Act 1975 has effect from 1 October 2024 until 1 January 2028. The Order allows the lethal control of dingoes for the protection of livestock on private land and within a 3 km buffer zone along the boundaries of public land in eastern Victoria. Permitted methods include the use of leghold traps within specified areas.
Please refer to the dingo unprotection Order for trapping requirements for dingoes: Order in Council (PDF 571.9 KB)
Leghold trapping of other animals under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986
What species can leghold traps be used for?
Under the POCTA Act and POCTA Regulations, leghold traps can be used to trap:
- rabbits
- foxes
- wild dogs.
Under the POCTA Regulations wild dogs are defined as an animal of the species Canis familiaris that is declared to be a pest animal under Part 8 of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CALP Act).
On 14 December 2019, a new Ministerial approval process was introduced which permits the use of large leghold traps for the control of declared feral cats under specific conditions on specified Crown Land. This process allows an application to be made by public land managers on a case-by-case basis in limited circumstances, such as where eradication is achievable.
The general public are not permitted to use leghold traps for cats.
Commercial pest controllers are also not permitted to use leghold traps for cats unless working under contract on a government control project for which approval has been granted.
Leghold trapping of all other species is prohibited.
Size of traps that can be used
Trap sizes are based on the jaw spread of the trap. This is the maximum distance between the internal metal surfaces of both jaws, when measured perpendicular to a line drawn through the jaw pivot points when the trap is in the set position (see arrow in Figure 1).
Jaw spread must be:
- no more than 10 centimetres — small leghold traps which are to be used only for rabbits
- between 10.1 and 14 centimetres — large leghold traps used for foxes and declared feral cats
- between 13 and 15.5 centimetres — large leghold traps used for wild dogs.
What features must a leghold trap have?
Serrated steel-jawed leghold traps cannot be used to trap any animal and the sale of them is illegal.
The jaws of leghold traps must be smooth and not serrated. Each jaw of the trap must be padded with commercially manufactured rubber pads designed to be used for the particular brand, size and design of the trap.
The jaw of the trap must be offset so there is a distance of at least 6 millimetres between the metal parts of the jaws when the jaws are closed. There must be a spring in the anchor chain of the trap to act as a shock absorber for the purposes of reducing the chance of injury to the captured limb.
The anchor chain must also have a minimum of 2 swivels, with one located at each end of the anchor chain, so that the trap can twist if the animal struggles to escape. The anchor chain must be attached to the centre of the baseplate of the trap.
The pan tension of the trap must be adjustable so that it can be set at a tension required for the target species to trigger the trap. Correctly setting pan tension can help minimise the chances of capturing non-target species (pets and wildlife).
How often must leghold traps be checked?
Traps must be inspected at least once every 24 hours.
Leghold traps should be checked as regularly as possible, to minimise injury, pain and distress of trapped animals. An animal must not be left alive in a leghold trap for more than 24 hours.
Where leghold traps can be used under the POCTA Act
Large leghold traps for foxes and wild dogs can only be used in areas approved by the Minister for Agriculture under the POCTA Act. They can only be set and used if the landowner or occupier of the land or, in the case of Crown land, the manager of the land has given their consent.
These areas in which large leghold traps are permitted for foxes and wild dogs are listed in a Declaration made under section 15AB(3) of the POCTA Act. This Declaration was gazetted in Government Gazette S 510, dated 25 September 2024 . It applies from 1 October 2024 to 1 January 2028.
Foxes
Large leghold traps of a size for foxes can be used Victoria-wide.
Wild dogs
The areas in which leghold trapping of wild dogs is permitted is shown in the map below, and in the drop-down list of parishes under the map. Please note that the permitted areas are the same as the areas permitted for leghold trapping of dingoes under the dingo unprotection Order made under the Wildlife Act.
Acheron
Adjie
Alexandra
Angora
Arbuckle
Baawang
Bairnsdale
Balmattum
Banyarmbite
Barambogie
Baranduda
Barga
Barnawartha South
Barroworn
Barwidgee
Barwite
Baw Baw
Beechworth
Beenak
Beethang
Beloka
Belvoir West
Bemboka
Bemm
Benambra
Bendock
Bengworden
Bengworden South
Beolite
Berringa
Berringama
Berrmarr
Bete Bolong North
Bete Bolong South
Betka
Bidwell
Billabong
Billian
Bindi
Bingo-Munjie
Bingo-Munjie North
Bingo-Munjie South
Binnican
Binnuc
Birregun
Bogong North
Bogong South
Bolaira
Bolga
Bonang
Bondi
Bonegilla
Boola Boola
Boole Poole
Boonderoot
Boorgunyah
Boorolite
Boorpuk
Borodomanin
Bow-Worrung
Bralak
Bramby
Brankeet
Briagolong
Bright
Brimbonga
Brindat
Broadlands
Bruarong
Buchan
Buckenderra
Buckland
Budgee Budgee
Bulgaback
Bullamalk
Bullioh
Bullumwaal
Bullung
Bumberrah
Bundalaguah
Bundara-Munjie
Bundowra
Bungamero
Bungil
Bungil East
Bungywarr
Bunyip
Buragwonduc
Burgoyne
Burrowye
Burrungabugge
Butgulla
Buxton
Byawatha
Cabanandra
Cambatong
Canabore
Carboor
Carneek
Carraragarmungee
Carruno
Changue
Changue East
Chilpin
Clonbinane
Cobbannah
Cobon
Cobungra
Colac Colac
Colquhoun
Colquhoun East
Colquhoun North
Combienbar
Cooaggalah
Coolumbooka
Coolungubra
Cooma
Coongulla
Coongulmerang
Coopracambra
Coornburt
Corryong
Cowa
Crookayan
Cudgewa
Curlip
Dandongadale
Darbalang
Dargo
Darlingford
Darnum
Dartella
Deddick
Dederang
Delatite
Dellicknora
Denison
Derndang
Derril
Detarka
Doledrook
Doodwuk
Doolam
Dorchap
Dropmore
Drouin East
Drouin West
Dueran
Dueran East
Edi
Eildon
El Dorado
Ellinging
Enano
Enochs Point
Ensay
Errinundra
Estcourt
Eucambene
Eumana
Eurandelong
Euroa
Everton
Flowerdale
Freeburgh
Fumina
Fumina North
Gabo
Garratanbunell
Gelantipy East
Gelantipy West
Gembrook
Ghin Ghin
Gibbo
Gillingall
Gillum
Glenaladale
Glendale
Glenmaggie
Glenmore
Glenwatts
Gobur
Gonzaga
Goolengook
Goon Nure
Goongerah
Gooram Gooram Gong
Goulburn
Gracedale
Graham
Granton
Granya
Greta
Gundowring
Gungarlan
Guttamurra
Harrietville
Hinno-Munjie
Hotham
Howitt Plains
Howqua
Howqua West
Indi
Ingeegoodbee
Jamieson
Jemba
Jilwain
Jinderboine
Jindivick
Jingallala
Jinjellic
Jirnkee
Jirrah
Kaerwut
Kalk Kalk
Kancobin
Karawah
Karlo
Keelangie
Kelfeera
Kergunyah
Kergunyah North
Kerrisdale
Kevington
Kianeek
Killingworth
Kinglake
Kirkenong
Knockwood
Kobyboyn
Koetong
Koola
Koomberar
Koonika
Kooragan
Koorool
Kooroon
Kosciusko
Kowat
Kuark
Kybeyan
Laceby
Lauraville
Lazarini
Licola
Licola North
Lima
Linton
Lochiel
Lodge Park
Longwood
Loomat
Loongelaat
Loyola
Ludrik-Munjie
Lurg
Maffra
Magdala
Magdala South
Magorra
Maharatta
Maindample
Maintongoon
Malkara
Mallacoota
Manango
Maneroo
Mansfield
Maramingo
Marlooh
Marraweeny
Marroo
Matlock
Matong
Matong North
Meerlieu
Mellick-Munjie
Merrijig
Merton
Miowera
Mirimbah
Mitta Mitta
Mohican
Molesworth
Monbulk
Monda
Monomak
Moolpah
Moondarra
Moonip
Moonkan
Moormurng
Moornapa
Moorngag
Morekana
Morockdong
Moroka
Mowamba
Moyangul
Moyhu
Mudgeegonga
Mullagong
Mullawye
Mullindolingong
Murmungee
Murramurrangbong
Murrindal East
Murrindal West
Murrindindi
Murrungowar
Myrrhee
Myrtleford
Nangana
Nap-Nap-Marra
Nappa
Nar-Be-Thong
Narbourac
Nariel
Nar-Nar-Goon
Narrang
Narree Worran
Narrobuk
Narrobuk North
Nayook
Nayook West
Neerim
Neerim East
Nerran
Newmerella
Niagaroon
Nillahcootie
Nindoo
Ninnie
Noojee
Noojee East
Noonga
Noorinbee
Noorongong
Nowa Nowa
Nowa Nowa South
Nowyeo
Noyong
Numbie-Munjie
Numbruk
Nungal
Nungatta
Nunniong
Nuntin
Nurong
Omeo
Onyim
Orbost
Orbost East
Oxley
Panbulla
Pinnak
Pinnibar
Porepunkah
Purgagoolah
Quag-Munjie
Queenstown
Reynard
Rothesay
Ruffy
Sale
Samaria
Sargood
Sarsfield
St. Clair
Stander
Stanley
Steavenson
Stratford
Strathbogie
Suggan Buggan
Switzerland
Tabbara
Tabberabbera
Taggerty
Talgarno
Tallandoon
Tallangallook
Tallarook
Tambo
Tamboon
Tamboritha
Tangambalanga
Tanjil
Tanjil East
Taponga
Tarcombe
Tarkeeth
Tarldarn
Tarrawarra
Tarrawarra North
Tarrawingee
Tatong
Tatonga
Tawanga
Telbit
Telbit West
Terlite-Munjie
Theddora
Thologolong
Thorkidaan
Thornley
Thornton
Thowgla
Thurra
Tildesley East
Tildesley West
Timbarra
Tinamba
Tingaringy
Tintaldra
Tongaro
Tonghi
Tongio-Munjie East
Tongio-Munjie West
Tonimbuk
Tonimbuk East
Toolome
Toombon
Toombullup
Toombullup North
Toongabbie North
Toongabbie South
Toonginbooka
Toonyarak
Toorongo
Too-Rour
Toorourrong
Torbreck
Towamba
Towong
Traawool
Tubbut
Tyirra
Undowah
Wabba
Wabonga
Wabonga South
Wa-De-Lock
Wagra
Walhalla
Walhalla East
Wallaby
Wallagoot
Wallan Wallan
Walwa
Wamba
Wandiligong
Wangarabell
Wappan
Warburton
Warrambat
Wat Wat
Wau Wauka
Wau Wauka West
Waygara
Weeragua
Welumla
Wentworth
Wermatong
Whanregarwen
Whitfield
Whitfield South
Whorouly
Wibenduck
Windarra
Windham
Wingan
Winnindoo
Winteriga
Winyar
Wodonga
Wollonaby
Wondoomarook
Wongungarra
Wonnangatta
Woodbourne
Woolenook
Woongulmerang East
Woongulmerang West
Woori Yallock
Woorragee
Woorragee North
Wooundellah
Wooyoot
Worrough
Worrowing
Wrathung
Wrixon
Wuk Wuk
Wurrin
Wurruk Wurruk
Wurutwun
Wyangil
Wyeeboo
Wy-Yung
Yabba
Yackandandah
Yalmy
Yambulla
Yangoura
Yarak
Yarck
Yarragon
Yea
Yeerik
Yeerung
Yertoo
Yonduk
Youarrabuk
Youpella
Yuonga
Downloadable version of this map:
Rabbits
Small leghold traps can only be set and used for rabbits, with the approval of the landowner or occupier of the land. They cannot be used or possessed on Crown land.
Urban areas
Use of leghold traps for rabbits, foxes and wild dogs in urban areas can only be carried out where the person or organisation has applied for and been granted a Ministerial approval.
Urban area means an area of land that is predominantly:
- subdivided into allotments that, in the case of land used or to be used for residential purposes, are not larger than 0.4 hectares
- able to be used or developed under a planning scheme or interim development order for residential, industrial or commercial purposes
- provided with constructed streets and public utility services.
Conditions of releasing or disposing of trapped animals
It is recommended that removal of animals is done by a person experienced in handling the target species or under the supervision of such a person.
Animals that are declared pests, as defined in the CALP Act, must be humanely destroyed as soon as reasonably possible. This includes:
- wild dogs
- foxes
- rabbits
- hares
- feral pigs
- feral goats.
To humanely destroy means causing the death of an animal by a means that results in immediate loss of consciousness and then death without recovering consciousness.
Non-target animals
Any other animals, inadvertently caught in a trap, must be treated according to the relevant requirements listed.
Injured animals
Any non-target animals inadvertently caught in a trap must be taken to a vet for treatment as soon as possible if injured, or if severely injured, may be humanely destroyed.
Uninjured animal
If a dog or cat, other than a wild dog or declared feral cat, is trapped it must be either:
- taken to the local council
- in an unincorporated area — treated in accordance with an approved process or taken to a neighbouring local council, or an animal shelter, where there is an agreement in place to manage the animals
If it is another species normally kept in captivity, but not wildlife, it must be taken to an animal shelter or other appropriate animal care facility as soon as reasonably possible.
Uninjured wildlife should be released promptly in accordance with the Wildlife Act 1975.
Wild animals, which are not normally kept domestically and are not considered wildlife (e,.g.an Indian myna or non-native rat) must be released at the point of capture or humanely destroyed.
Penalties for illegal sale, setting or use of leghold traps under the POCTA Act
If prosecuted, the maximum penalties for illegal sale, setting or use of traps include fines of up to:
- natural person — 240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years
- body corporate — up to 1,200 penalty units
Traps not permitted to be set or used can only be sold to museums or collectors. Sellers of traps are responsible for ensuring they are only selling such traps for collection purposes.
Further information
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019 which can be accessed at Victorian legislation.
For more information about leghold traps and Ministerial approvals under the POCTA Act and Regulations call the customer service centre on 136 186 or email aw.approvals@agriculture.vic.gov.au.