Leg traps of this kind are illegal in Canada. Pass this on.

I found this yesterday on a walk near where we are camping in Didsbury, Alberta.

Wild animals can be pests.  Most of us have been annoyed or had property damaged by creatures such as raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, and prairie dogs (in the above photo).  And, as much as we would like to be unburdened by such annoyances, most of us wouldn't want to see the poor things suffer.  I have set out a few traps in my day to get rid of rats and mice.  I even caught a squirrel in a live trap that I released elsewhere.

Leg-hold traps are at a different level, though.  They trap through injury and damage, but do not kill.  The creatures are left to die from dehydration, pain, or predation.  They are considered mean and inhumane.  However, leg-hold traps are themselves not illegal.  They are, however, strictly regulated and have to adhere to specific parameters.  These include no teeth, having rubberized jaws, and having jaws that are smaller than 9 inches across.  The trap above has no rubberized jaw; it clearly has damaged the creature.  For more information, click here.

What was most upsetting was that the animal was still alive when I found it.  I took a short video of it; it was motionless but blinking - clearly nearing the end of its life.  I thought about including the video, but the truth is very upsetting, and I just don't want to evoke the sadness I felt in others.

Shame on you, whoever you are, for doing such a thing.

Eric Svendsen



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