http://www.care2.com/causes/dog-deaths-prompt-idaho-to-consider-changing-trapping-rules.html
- by Alicia Graef
- July 17, 2014
Idaho may have some beautiful places for people to take their dogs on an adventure, but deadly traps lurking on the landscape are ruining it. Now the growing number of dogs being caught in these traps has led the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to consider new regulations so they can prevent accidents.
Trapping for wolves and a number of other furbearers is allowed throughout the state, but these traps aren’t just a cruel way to torture and kill the animals for which they’re intended–they are posing a serious threat to non-target animals and our pets.
According to the Department of Fish and Game, in 2012, 30 dogs and 24 house cats were among more than 800 non-target animals who were caught. Trapper reports also show the number of dogs who have become victims of traps has increased from two in 2002 to 32 in 2013.
To illustrate the seriousness of the problem, in two widely reported cases last year tragedy struck when dogs were killed in baited body-crushing traps.
According to the Spokesman-Review, the first incident occurred the day after Christmas when a family watched their two-year-old dog die in less than a minute. The second incident happened in January when a woman took her four-year-old black lab for a run, whereby it was caught in a trap that was legally placed on public endowment land. Her and her husband had to call for help because the trap closed so tightly they couldn’t get it open.
In response to the growing number of dogs being trapped and increasing concerns being voiced by pet owners, the Department of Fish and Game released an instructional video in March of this year, and it’s really helpful: you just need to bring a bucket full of supplies with you, channel MacGuyver, or be kind of person who can function calmly while you’re watching your beloved dog suffer, as you try to remember how to open one of the medieval-looking torture devices without doing even more damage. No problem, right?
As infuriating as it is to think you would have to deal with that just because you want to take your dog hiking, and as easy as it would be to say the obvious solution here is to ban traps, that won’t happen. Voters already enshrined trapping as a hunting right in the state’s constitution in 2012. At least now officials are considering restrictions that could help prevent more accidents.
Last week the Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to start making new rules for certain types of traps, and is considering other steps that were recommended by a working group, including requiring a trapper education program, posting signs, restricting the use of body-crushing traps on public land, and increasing set-backs for traps placed near trails. Once approved by the commission, these proposals go to the legislature for approval.
That’s Where You Come In
You can send a message to the Fish and Game Commission asking it to implement every possible measure to protect the public and non-target animals from the dangers traps pose.
You can also sign and share our Care2 petition asking state officials to do something to prevent the trapping of endangered Canada Lynx.
Exposing the Big Game 
Thank goodness! At the very least, they should be kept away from places where people and their pets are out walking and trying to enjoy the outdoors. Freedom isn’t just for hunters and trappers.
Outlawing the Conibears doesn’t go nearly far enough to suit me. Trappers, and the primitive-brain politicians and Fish & Game commissioners and staff who dictate and implement policy, have been getting away with murder — literally and figuratively — for a long time. I’m ready for real reform, not some token action “disallowing” a filthy device that should never have been allowed in the first place. And why would trappers stop using Conibears whether they’re “allowed” or not? What do they have to lose?
By the way, one of the other recommendations that was put forward in one of the working groups was to extend the 72-hour trap-check period to compensate for the “concessions” trappers would be making by giving up the Conibears and setting traps further out than 5′ from the centerline of a trail. I’m not saying that extending the required trap-check period made it onto the final list of recommendations, but the fact that it was proposed at all makes me sick.
Ban trapping period .
Yes, trapping is barbaric and sadistic. It’s banned in over ninety countries around the world. I care just as much about the wolves and other wild animals who are targeted by these medieval devices just as much as I do about people’s pets. No animal should have to suffer in a trap. BAN TRAPPING!!
I sent this to ID Government: It is barbaric enough of the State of ID to have allowed trappers to enshrine their “right” to trap on public land inflicting cruelty on targeted animals and inflicting cruelty on hundreds if not thousands of nontargeted animals; it is self-centered, power and control and many other thinking errors to allow them to trap near hiking trails, to monopolize public land for their blood sport. The by far majority public cannot feel safe with their pets on public land. That is outrageous! What is it now? 30 dogs, 24 cats, 800 nontargeted animals, and a fearful public as a result. If this trapping tragedy and barbarism is to continue, some strict rules should be set up, such as: Safe distances, very far, from trails; signs of warning about trapping in the areas affected; prohibition of body crushing trapping, and I would think even snaring; and generous no trapping seasons, lulls so that public land is generally safer for the public, pets, and a break for the wildlife.
Well at least it’s a start. If there is anything that is going to limit hunting and trapping, it will be their freedom coming into direct conflict with the freedom of those who want to be outside with family and pets enjoying the outdoors also. As they say, ‘your freedoms end where mine begin’.
Stop trapping our animals or else your
state of Idaho gets trashed and hauled away as garbage!!