According to Merideth Ball, who spoke to the Sherwood Park News, she and her children were walking with Hudson on a popular trail – the Waskahegan, in Alberta – when Hudson was caught in the trap. The resulting injuries totalled nearly $3,000.
“It was very traumatic,” Ball told the Sherwood Park News. “Our dogs do everything and go everywhere with us, and to see our dog, Hudson, trapped around his neck and waist, with our kids there to see it as well, it was pretty horrific.”
According to the article, the county traps for “pests” in the area, and is not, under current regulations, required to notify nearby residents or post signage – something APFA has rallied against for years.
Ball has submitted a request for financial reimbursement of her vet bills with the county, limiting the county’s ability to discuss the investigation.
We need your help
Send a message to your MLA in Alberta and tell them you want trapping regulations updated to require the use of signs when trapping is taking place both on private and public land; that municipalities must publicly inform all residents of such activities; and that any non-target species caught be reported and submitted by trappers and municipalities for necropsy and identification.
In Alberta, trapping may not end tomorrow. But we can take steps to ensure that pets and people are as safe from these horrific devices as possible.
You can find your MLA by clicking here.
Sample letter
To (MLA’s name here),
I am writing you to demand updates to the regulations surrounding the use of traps (snares, leg-hold, Conibear and body-gripping) in the province of Alberta. Too often, non-target species – including domestic pets, endangered animals and others – are inadvertently caught by these devices; entirely preventable incidents that leave animals suffering and families traumatized.
I must ask that you take immediate steps to introduce new regulations, including the use of signs when trapping is taking place on public or private lands; that municipalities must publicly inform all residents of such activities; and that any non-target species caught be reported and submitted for necropsy and identification by trappers and municipalities.
I want to see trapping regulations updated in Alberta. As my representative in the provincial government, I ask that you support this, too.
Signed,
(Your name here)
Include address for reference purposes.
