A humane animal trap adaptable to extend toward an animal to ensnare the animal's leg while not blocking blood flow through said leg comprising:
- (a) telescoping means having at least two interconnected, hollow telescoping members which may be moved relative to each other;
- (b) biasing means connected between said members to bias said members apart so that said telescoping means is biased in an extended position;
- (c) trigger means connected to said members for selectively retaining said telescoping means in a retracted position;
- (d) trip means associated with said trigger means for releasing said trigger means;
- (e) loop means having a first portion attached to one of said members and having a second portion extending beyond said telescoping means whereby activation of said trip means releases said trigger means, causing said biasing means to force said members apart thereby placing said telescoping member in the extended position, the telescoping means extending toward the second portion to close the trap, wherein said telescoping means is comprised of a main barrel having first and second ends, a slave barrel located within said main barrel and having first and second ends, and a working barrel located within said slave barrel and having first and second ends, wherein the second end of the main barrel engages the first end of the slave barrel, the second end of the slave barrel engages the first end of the working barrel and the biasing means is connected between the working barrel and the first end of the main barrel, said trigger means is a rigid element having first and second ends, the first end of the rigid element being hingedly affixed to the second end of the main barrel, and said trip means is a rigid element having first and second ends, the first end of the trip means being hingedly affixed to the second ends of said main barrel, said rigid member releasably engaging the second end of said rigid element and selectively retaining said rigid element in a position to prevent said slave barrel and said working barrel from extending apart from said main barrel whereby movement of said rigid member causes said rigid member to disengage said rigid element thereby permitting said biasing means to extend said slave barrel and said working barrel apart from said main barrel, said loop means is a length of cable having ends connected to said main barrel and having a middle portion extending through and beyond said working barrel to form a loop, said biasing means is a spring having a first end engaging the first end of said main barrel and having a second end engaging the second end of said working barrel, said spring being in a compressed condition when said barrels are in a retracted position, said trip means is located within the second portion of said loop means, said trip means is comprised of a trip sear hinged to an outer barrel of said telescoping means, and a trip pan is connected to said trip sear, said trip pan forming an acute angle with an axis of said telescoping means.