Idaho Mountain Express: Traps and dogs don't mix

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Friday, March 13, 2009

Traps and dogs don't mix

Most urban and rural areas of Idaho are known as dog-friendly, with trails and woodland areas ideal for hiking the family pooch.

But not so friendly are the animal traps placed in the hope of catching an animal whose fur can fetch income on the pelt market.

Distressing episodes of unwary pet dogs being caught in the claws of leg-hold traps are on the increase.

It's the consequence of clashes between urban growth and the untamed outdoors.

To its credit, the 1,100-member Idaho Trappers Association acknowledges the clash between trappers and dogs and has taken the initiative in asking trappers to avoid setting their devices in known recreation areas. It also has posted instructions on how pets can be freed from traps if the unfortunate occurs.

However, more should and can be done. The Idaho Fish & Game Department, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management could join with trappers and map specific areas as off limits for traps.

Information signs about the off-limits areas would serve to prevent trappers from setting their snares in specific areas and inform hikers with dogs which areas are trap-free and which are not.

Preventing clashes between wildlife and urban populations is not new. When bears are found roaming urban areas, for example, they are caught and removed to avoid unfortunate encounters with humans.

Humane protection of pet dogs from randomly set traps near populated and recreational areas is a sensible solution that trappers and public agencies concerned about the outdoors should eagerly undertake.

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The comments below are from the readers of mtexpress.com and in no way represent the views of Express Publishing Inc.

don – sun valley

03/17/09 - 15:46

Would someone be kind enough to refer me to a website that would educate me as to the types of traps used in the Sun Valley area and the manner by which my dog might be extricated in the event be becomes ensnared in one of the traps? Thank you in advance for the courtesy of a reply.

Reply to don

brian thompson

03/17/09 - 19:51

Don,
Here is a website relating to trapping education.
fishandgame.idaho.gov
The Best Management Practices (BMP) developed by the federal wildlife agencies provide alot of information for interested individuals.

Chuck – Ketchum

03/15/09 - 15:19

Maybe the trappers could mark their spots with the piles of dog poo left by all these "loving, responsible", pet owners?

PS, well said John !!

brian thompson

03/14/09 - 17:28

I am a dog owner and a trapper and could not agree more that dogs and traps do not mix. I agree that it is the responsibilty of every trapper to make sure his/her traps are placed in areas that keep pet conflicts at bay. It is also the responsibility of the pet owner to make sure his/her pet is kept under control to avoid being caught in a foot hold trap. The areas in question are designated multiple use by the BLM and Forest Service, that means dog walkers and trappers are free to use the land. Creating areas of public land that are off limits to trapping is just as bad as creating areas that are off limits to recreation. If both sides use common sense and respect the feelings and ideals of each user group, you will find there is room for all.

03/13/09 - 22:00

This article sounds like it was written by one of the same Kalifornia Bay Area clowns that destroyed my town. Don't let them change your culture. It will not stop and you have to fight them every step of the way. While I am a dog lover, one cannot overlook the fact that traps serve a very useful purpose and the dog owner needs to tend their dog.

Shaneen

03/13/09 - 01:27

We had some idiot in town put up a trap and had it kill one of our dogs... It had gotten out while we were on vacation and the guy had his son call us to tell him that our dog had been killed and he burried it. What a wonderful way to spend a vacation! Not only that this trap was a mere 100 meters away from a school building!

Reply to Shaneen

John

03/14/09 - 21:18

How could you dog get free while on vacation?
Didn't you ensure your dog's safety by kenneling it or having a very close responsible friend tend to it while you were vacationing? Our dog is part of our family and he comes with us 90% of the time otherwise it's to the kennels. If there were no trap in the vicinity...and this accident didn't happen...where would your dog be right now? Lost?