The Fur-Bearers is warning the public as the number of pets unintentionally caught in traps in British Columbia is increasing in an alarming trend as 2024 trapping seasons are now open across the province.
Incident reports obtained through freedom of information requests show that 100 pets were caught in traps set for wildlife from 2015-2023. In the past two years there were five reported incidents of dogs killed by traps, and the number of injuries and deaths is expected to be higher as many incidents are not reported to the province.
“The Government of British Columbia is aware of this alarming trend but has failed to take action to protect the public from the dangers of commercial and recreational trapping,” says Lesley Fox, Executive Director at The Fur-Bearers. “We’ve been calling on the province since 2012 to implement reasonable preventative measures, such as mandatory warning signs for active traps, increased setbacks from dwellings, and mandatory setbacks from trails and roads. It is time to act and prevent the suffering of more families and companion animals.”
Earlier this year, past Minister of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen had stated that the province was willing to discuss trapping reforms like warning signs after a dog lost her leg after being trapped for several days in a leg-hold trap.
The Fur-Bearers is encouraging any pet owners to view their video on how to release pets from three common types of traps, all legal in British Columbia. The video can be viewed at www.TheFurBearers.com/petsintraps.
“We cannot stress enough that locations where people may have long enjoyed walking dogs can be surrounded by dangerous, baited traps, without any warning,” Fox says. “Until the government acts, families with pets must be vigilant due to commercial/recreational trapping.”
Click the following links to download freedom of informations requests with the reported trapping incidents from 2015 to 2023.
FOR-2022-22390 – Records – 2015-2021
MOE-2024-40604 – Records – 2022-2023
