diff --git a/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/basic_ai_behaviors/basic_attacking.dm b/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/basic_ai_behaviors/basic_attacking.dm
index 0f7fe6ef142..144de535d5a 100644
--- a/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/basic_ai_behaviors/basic_attacking.dm
+++ b/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/basic_ai_behaviors/basic_attacking.dm
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@
 	. = ..()
 	if(!controller.blackboard[targeting_strategy_key])
 		CRASH("No targeting strategy was supplied in the blackboard for [controller.pawn]")
-
+	if(HAS_TRAIT(controller.pawn, TRAIT_HANDS_BLOCKED))
+		return FALSE
 	//Hiding location is priority
 	var/atom/target = controller.blackboard[hiding_location_key] || controller.blackboard[target_key]
 	if(QDELETED(target))
@@ -67,6 +68,8 @@
 
 /datum/ai_behavior/basic_ranged_attack/setup(datum/ai_controller/controller, target_key, targeting_strategy_key, hiding_location_key)
 	. = ..()
+	if(HAS_TRAIT(controller.pawn, TRAIT_HANDS_BLOCKED))
+		return FALSE
 	var/atom/target = controller.blackboard[hiding_location_key] || controller.blackboard[target_key]
 	if(QDELETED(target))
 		return FALSE
diff --git a/code/modules/research/xenobiology/crossbreeding/_misc.dm b/code/modules/research/xenobiology/crossbreeding/_misc.dm
index 8eb166bf820..7b85a878ec3 100644
--- a/code/modules/research/xenobiology/crossbreeding/_misc.dm
+++ b/code/modules/research/xenobiology/crossbreeding/_misc.dm
@@ -175,6 +175,12 @@ Slimecrossing Items
 	w_class = WEIGHT_CLASS_SMALL
 	icon = 'icons/obj/science/slimecrossing.dmi'
 	icon_state = "capturedevice"
+	///traits we give and remove from the mob on exit and entry
+	var/static/list/traits_on_transfer = list(
+		TRAIT_IMMOBILIZED,
+		TRAIT_HANDS_BLOCKED,
+		TRAIT_AI_PAUSED,
+	)
 
 /obj/item/capturedevice/attack(mob/living/pokemon, mob/user)
 	if(length(contents))
@@ -211,11 +217,11 @@ Slimecrossing Items
 
 /obj/item/capturedevice/proc/store(mob/living/pokemon)
 	pokemon.forceMove(src)
-	pokemon.add_traits(list(TRAIT_IMMOBILIZED, TRAIT_HANDS_BLOCKED), ABSTRACT_ITEM_TRAIT)
+	pokemon.add_traits(traits_on_transfer, ABSTRACT_ITEM_TRAIT)
 	pokemon.cancel_camera()
 
 /obj/item/capturedevice/proc/release()
 	for(var/mob/living/pokemon in contents)
 		pokemon.forceMove(get_turf(loc))
-		pokemon.remove_traits(list(TRAIT_IMMOBILIZED, TRAIT_HANDS_BLOCKED), ABSTRACT_ITEM_TRAIT)
+		pokemon.remove_traits(traits_on_transfer, ABSTRACT_ITEM_TRAIT)
 		pokemon.cancel_camera()