Not sure what makes folks believe they should deploy certain equipment within urban/suburban populated areas.
Will never know if it was a homeowner or one of the local companies attempting to become trappers but last night
had a call just after dark from a colleague who rehabs. A bobcat was hung up in the back corner of this guys yard on
his corner post. Had one foothold on a front paw and another foothold dragging behind that wedged into the fence keeping
it there all day.
Releasing it took just a few moments but honestly, this area is one of the most heavily dog walked areas I've ever seen including
when I lived in Portland, OR where everyone has a dog and is outdoors all the time. The two traps had a padlock on the terminal
swivels about 18" worth of machine chain, all bound up and not swiveling at this point.
Our city has an ordinance that includes no foothold traps yet of course any homeowner can go down to the local sporting goods
store and become a trapper in short order.
These were bridger square jaw offset #3s so I'm assuming this was someone who had some basic knowledge, but obviously when it
came to a stake or anchor or drag they either used bailing wire, or next to nothing at all.
These folks including all the people who were called when I was called who rehab and advocate for wildlife all now saw again an animal
that was in a trap, not properly utilized within an area where it had no business.
Just a PSA I guess, I spent at least 15 minutes explaining the device to the people trying to balance the fear and repulsion they had for
seeing this animal hung up in their yard but honestly the damage is done when folks are exposed to these in a setting they shouldn't be.
Please just remember the gear we all use should not only be right to catch or hold the animal you are trying to get, but should be appropriately
used socially so you don't add to the pile of damaging articles and media that are out there.
If my wife and I hadn't responded to this scene it very likely would have made the news as those who were responding as well had no experience
with this type of equipment or scenario and it is likely the cat still would have been there in the morning and media and people would have been
getting alerted.
There are at least 3 different efforts to ban these devices here in our state, please don't add to the negative.
