670. Trapping a Deer

Shabbos 10:23

If a deer enters a room and one person closes the door on it, he is liable for trapping. If two people close the door, they are not liable. If the door cannot be closed by one person and two people close it, then they are both liable. If one person sits in the doorway and this does not block it, then a second person sits next to him and blocks the doorway, trapping the deer, the second person is liable. If one person blocks the doorway when he sits down, then a second person sits next to him, only the first person is liable; this is so even if he gets up and leaves, because the second person didn’t do anything. He is allowed to remain seated in the doorway until Shabbos ends, at which point he may take the deer. This situation is tantamount to a person who locks his house to protect it and discovers a deer trapped inside. If a bird goes under the hem of a person's garments, he may stay seated and watch the bird until Shabbos ends, at which point he may take it.

Shabbos 10:24

One is not liable for trapping a deer that is old, hobbled, sick, or small (and therefore no effort to catch). One is not liable for releasing an animal or a bird from a trap. If a person traps an animal or a bird that is already in his domain, such as doves in a coop, he is not liable. If someone traps a creature of a species that is not usually trapped, like locusts, wasps, hornets, mosquitoes, fleas, etc., he is not liable.