On the day after Christmas, Victoria Lethbridge and her partner decided to take their dog and baby for a walk in new snowshoes near their Hickman’s Harbour residence. Unfortunately, their usual stroll turned into a tragic event when their four-year-old pug named Winston got caught and killed in a beaver trap placed beside the trail.
Expressing the trauma of the incident, Lethbridge mentioned that the vivid memory haunts her, making her reluctant to revisit the trail. Similarly, in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Jason Bennett’s husky Brody faced a similar danger by getting entangled in a spring-loaded leg trap within the vicinity behind the 5 Wing Goose Bay military base, a popular walking spot. Fortunately, Bennett managed to free Brody’s leg without harm.
Both incidents have sparked a call for updated trapping regulations to prevent future pet injuries and fatalities. While trapping is a government-controlled activity aimed at wildlife management and deeply ingrained in Newfoundland and Labrador’s culture, there is a lack of provincial guidelines regarding setting small game traps near community trails without the mandatory display of cautionary signs.
In response to these incidents, pet owners like Lethbridge and Bennett are advocating for enhanced regulations and clearer signage near community areas to alert individuals, particularly pet owners, of potential traps. They emphasize the importance of taking precautions during trapping seasons to avoid unintended pet captures and conflicts with other outdoor users.
Acknowledging the significance of trapping in the local culture, Lethbridge expressed understanding and refrained from blaming the practice. She suggested that a simple flag or sign could play a crucial role in safeguarding pets in the future. The community has rallied around Lethbridge, offering messages of support following the loss of Winston, highlighting the profound impact the incident had on everyone.
While trapping remains a traditional activity in Newfoundland and Labrador, pet owners stress the necessity of considering the safety of pets in commonly frequented areas. Efforts are underway to educate both trappers and pet owners on preventive measures to avert similar heartbreaking incidents in the future.
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