Animal trap

An animal trap comprising:

• a base having a sizable V-shaped cut-out portion defined by opposing base edges converging from a rear edge to terminate at a mid-section area between opposite ends of said base;
• a jaw pivotally carried on said base adapted to pivot about said mid-section;
• resilient means operably coupling said jaw to said base wherein said jaw is normally biased to pivot across said V-shaped cut-out;
• a bait actuator means movably carried on said base at its mid-section immediately adjacent to the termination of said converging opposing base edges and being operably coupled to said jaw to yieldably restrain said jaw from pivoting;
• a safety latch movably carried on said jaw to hold said jaw against the bias of said resilient means independent of and in addition to said bait actuator means;
• said bait actuator means includes a bait treadle pivotably carried on said base mid-section and having a bait carrying end and an actuator slidably carried on said base between said jaw and said bait treadle being engagable with said jaw and adapted to release said jaw in response to pivoting of said bait treadle;
• a cage-like structure fixedly carried on said base partially enclosing said bait treadle in spaced apart relationship and serving as a guide along with said opposing base edges to direct an approaching animal into a predetermined orientation occupying said V-shaped cut-out portion whereby said jaw when released will strike a vital area of the animal.