Trapping in roadside ditches and other county-owned rights of way is now illegal.

The Lancaster County Board unanimously outlawed the practice after a short public hearing Tuesday. No trappers testified.

Anyone violating the ban could be charged with a Class III misdemeanor and fined at least $50.

LB5, passed by the Legislature earlier this year, permits trapping in roadside ditches and county-owned rights of way but also gives counties the option to make the practice illegal.

County Engineer Don Thomas supported the ban for safety reasons, saying his employees spent a lot of time working in ditches.

Commissioner Deb Schorr echoed that sentiment, saying the ban would protect county inmates on work release, too.

The ban also was supported by Commissioner Larry Hudkins, who was caught in a trap this past winter while walking in a ditch near his Malcolm farm.

Said Hudkins: "People not knowingly can step into these traps as well as pets and other animals."

Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.