Abstract: A method and a system provide an animal trap that records digital images of animals with a camera, convolves the digital image with a kernel to create convolved feature maps that are used as input to a classifier algorithm, producing classification confidence scores that identify the animals. An algorithm categorizes the classified animal and selects an action based on the categorization. The trap has actions to deter the benign or beneficial animals and actions to detain or kill the pest animals. With this method and system, the trap is able to target pest animals with minimal harm to benign or beneficial animals.