Photo provided by Critter Care Wildlife Society.
A juvenile raccoon found suffering in a cuff-style restraining trap last week has prompted reminders of the inhumane consequences and potential legal liabilities of trapping from wildlife charity The Fur-Bearers.
Critter Care Wildlife Society reports they were contacted by a resident who found the female raccoon entangled in netting near Godwin Drive and Carmichael Street in Maple Ridge. The cuff style trap was being dragged by the raccoon, causing extensive injuries. As a result of these devastating injuries, the raccoon was humanely euthanized.
“These cuff-style traps are sold as a ‘humane’ way to manage raccoons on private property and to reduce negative encounters, but too often lead to these horrific injuries and can put other animals, including pets, at risk,” says Aaron Hofman, Director of Advocacy and Policy at The Fur-Bearers.
The Fur-Bearers are reminding residents that raccoons are native species in the Lower Mainland and attempts to remove them will not resolve or prevent negative encounters. Coexistence measures, such as attractant management, appropriate protection of backyard chicken coops and gardens, and humane wildlife removal agencies approved by the BC SPCA’s AnimalKind program are sustainable solutions.
“We encourage residents to learn about coexistence and attractant management, and view available resources on our website at TheFurBearers.com/coexist,” says Hofman.
Anyone with information regarding illegal (or unsafe) trapping should contact the BC Conservation Officer Service RAPP Line at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277) or online at https://forms.gov.bc.ca/environment/rapp/. Anyone with information regarding an animal in distress or acts of suspected animal cruelty should contact the BC SPCA tip line at 1-855-622-7722.
Images provided by Critter Care Wildlife Society.
