A charge was recently laid under British Columbia’s Wildlife Act several months after Pearl, a working Anatolian Shepherd, lost her leg to a trap near her family’s farm.
Pearl is a working guardian dog and companion on the Hartley Farm northwest of Fort St. John, BC. Pearl went missing on Saturday, February 3. Clayton and Ricki Hartley couldn’t find Pearl until the following Monday, when they found her suffering in a leg-hold trap near their property. It is believed the trap was set to target wolves. Despite rushing her to a veterinarian, Pearl’s injuries were so severe amputation was necessary.
No warning signs were posted, and the Hartley family was not informed of trapping taking place adjacent to their property.
The BC Conservation Officer Service recently advised The Fur-Bearers that their investigation into the February 2024 incident is now concluded, and one individual was charged with a trapping-related offense. The offense was a violation of section 41 of BC’s Wildlife Act:
“A person commits an offence if the person sets a trap for, hunts, kills, takes, or captures a fur bearing animal in an area of British Columbia unless the person
(a) is a registered holder of the trapline for that area.”
Photo by the Hartley Family
Update on Pearl
The Fur-Bearers reached out to the Hartley family and they provided this update on Pearl’s condition and how the incident has impacted their family:
“Pearl has been so resilient since her accident and hasn't let her injury stop her from protecting our farm or having fun, albeit at a slower pace. Although it has changed the dynamics of our entire family, and we have moments of deep sadness about the events of that weekend, her unwavering strength and sweet soul remind us that we need to keep protecting the innocent from the inherent risks of the dark side of humanity. Thank you to everyone who stood behind us during the petition and gave us strength when we needed it most. Above all, we want to thank The Fur-Bearers for their help and continued efforts to stop tragedies like Pearl's from ever happening.”
Trapping seasons open soon across Canada and it’s imperative that outdoor recreationalists – including dog walkers, hikers, bird watchers, etc. – learn how to safely release their pets from traps. Please view and share the video below to help prevent more tragedies.
You can learn more about how The Fur-Bearers is addressing the ongoing issue of companion animals being caught, injured, or killed in traps by clicking here.
