Celebrities Back Initiative to Ban Some Animal Traps

Actor James Cromwell, who as Farmer Hoggett saved “Babe” the sheep-herding pig from the dinner table, now wants to save wild animals and wayward pets from certain kinds of traps and poisons.

Presenting a dog that had chewed off one of its own legs to escape a trap, Cromwell, other celebrities and animal rights groups promoted a state ballot initiative Tuesday that would ban steel- and padded-jaw leg-hold traps and two poisons in California.

“There is no compelling reason why these animals should suffer in this dreadful manner for the sole purpose of creating a totally superfluous article of clothing,” Cromwell told a news conference. He was joined by celebrities Shari Belafonte, Kevin Nealon, Tippi Hedren and Ed Begley Jr.

Initiative backers said the devices painfully and indiscriminately capture animals ranging from coyotes to skunks.

Supporters said they have collected 125,000 signatures for the proposed November ballot measure. Seven animal welfare groups are sponsoring the Protect Pets and Wildlife measure, which needs 434,000 valid signatures by Feb. 5 to qualify, said Wayne Pacelle, a vice president with the Humane Society of the United States.