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Otter’s death in Silsden sparks warning over illegal canal traps

Grace WoodBradford

The growing use of illegal crayfish traps has been criticised by environmental groups after an otter became trapped and died on a West Yorkshire canal.

The dead otter was found in a crayfish trap near a bridge on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in Silsden and those responsible were currently unknown, according to police.

The Environment Agency said such traps were an ongoing issue on waterways, while the Canal and River Trust said it was “hugely concerning”.

Phillippa Baron, senior ecologist at the Canal & River Trust, said the recent return of otters to the River Aire and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal had been an “environmental success story” and it was “very sad” to hear of the animal’s death.

This article contains images some readers may find distressing.

Baron said: “Once rarely seen due to pollution and habitat loss, otter numbers are gradually increasing – an important indicator of a healthy ecosystem in our waterways.

“So, the discovery of an otter drowned after getting caught in an illegal trap, believed to have been left in the canal to catch crayfish, is not only very sad, but also hugely concerning.”

Otters are a legally protected species and often feed on crayfish.

The Leeds-Liverpool Canal is home to both native white-clawed crayfish and American signal crayfish – a damaging invasive non-native species.

According to the Environment Agency, most of the illegal traps do not have otter guards and the animals are often attracted to the bait or the trapped crayfish.

Once inside the traps, the otters are unable to escape and can get injured or killed.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said its staff were monitoring “the growing use of illegal crayfish traps” across Yorkshire.

“Unauthorised traps are indiscriminate and lack protections, meaning they can catch non-target species such as otter and water voles,” they added.

“We rely heavily on public vigilance to catch the criminals responsible and encourage people to report anything that looks suspicious.”

• Milana Doné
• Sep 18, 2026 Updated 2 hrs ago
• Bond set for RCSO deputy charged in turkey hunting incident

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RACINE — A judge set a $10,000 signature bond Thursday for the Racine County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was charged in connection to the injury of a man and his son during the youth turkey hunt this past spring.

James Lehman, 35, of Union Grove was charged Aug. 17 with two counts of second degree reckless injury with use of a dangerous weapon and two counts of injury by negligent use of a dangerous weapon.

Lehman also was ordered not to possess or control any firearms. His spouse’s firearm can be remain in the house but must be kept in a safe that Lehman does not have access to, according to online court records.

Allegations

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According to previous Journal Times reporting, RCSO deputies and EMS personnel were sent to the Cherry Lake Sedge Meadow State Natural Area in the Village of Rochester about 2:19 p.m. April 12 after a report that two people had been shot.

A 40-year-old man and his 7-year-old son were taken to a Milwaukee hospital for treatment of their injuries.

The investigation was turned over to the Department of Natural Resources, which owns and manages the site.

Lehman reportedly told wardens that he and his 3-year-old daughter were participating in the youth turkey hunt, which was held statewide April 11-12.

According to the DNR website, the annual event gives hunters younger than 16 the opportunity to gain hunting experience before the regular turkey season begins. Youth hunters must have a spring turkey license, wild turkey stamp and valid harvest authorization.

Warden Jason Roberts reported in a criminal complaint that the distance between where Lehman said he was sitting and where the 40-year-old man and his son were sitting was about 39 yards.

According to the complaint, Lehman and his daughter were using a semi-automatic 12-guage shotgun, and Lehman claimed he didn’t know the man and his son were hunting that afternoon.

Lehman reportedly told wardens that he was blind calling turkeys and saw movement that he thought was a white turkey head and fan.

According to the complaint, Lehman said he aimed the shotgun by resting the barrel over a fallen tree and after again seeing what he thought was a turkey head, had his 3-year-old daughter pull the trigger.

Wardens met with the 40-year-old man that night after he was released from the hospital.

According to the complaint, the man said that he told Lehman about the locations where he hunts and asked Lehman not to use his hunting spots.

The man and his son were sitting against a tree and looking out into an open field, facing away from Lehman’s location, the complaint said.

The man reportedly told wardens that he and his son were not using turkey decoys or turkey fans and that they were wearing camouflage with leafy patterns.

Neither the man nor his son reportedly were wearing red, white or blue items that would have been visible at the time of the shooting.

According to the complaint, the man said he had is arm around his son that he believed Lehman might have mistook his hand for a turkey head because the shot occurred only a second or two after he used a turkey call.

After the shot was fired, the man said he called out for help, saw that he and his son were injured and told Lehman to call 911.

According to the complaint, the man was struck with multiple pellets in his back, lower torso, left hand and arm. The 7-year-old boy reportedly suffered multiple pellet strikes to his back and head.

Lehman did not have a hunter safety certificate, and he reportedly told wardens he was exempt because of military service, the complaint said.

He reportedly told wardens that he had gone hunting with others in the past, but that day was one of his first times hunting independently.

The Sheriff’s Office said it will conduct an administrative investigation to determine whether Lehman violated RCSO policies or procedures.

He was placed on administrative leave April 12, according to RCSO.

Lehman is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing Oct. 7.