Beagle killed by conibear trap in Wisconsin

[schleppy]

Hello,

I posted this on another site, and I just wanted to share what happend on this site.

I was out with some friends sat running rabbits in a small pine plantation in northern Wi. We had 6 dogs out and they were having trouble keeping a run going in the deep snow. After about 90 minutes of letting the dogs run we had only taken 2 shots and we decided to pull the dogs out.
After we caught 5 of the dogs I realized I was missing my small male pup. He's about 1 1/2 years old and usually stays pretty close to the adult dogs so I felt like something was wrong. I put the other dogs in the box and used my tracker to locate the pup.
He was caught in a 160 conibear trap that was set next to an old building on the property we were hunting. It looked like the trap had killed him instantly, as there wasn't much sign of a struggle. I feel horrible about not paying closer attention to where he went, but I dont think there was any way to save him even if I had been standing right there.

I contacted the trapper via the tag on the trap. He was also upset about what happend and he offered to pay me for my dog. I spent about a half hour talking with him and he was a really nice guy. The trap was legally set, and it was unfortunate that the whole thing happened. I dont want to end up with an anti-trapping attitude, or mentality on this post. I just wanted to get the info out there because it happened.
I took pictures of the dog caught in the trap and I'm planning on sending them to all the DNR trapping education instructors in WI. Hopefully some will use it to show that even though this style of trap is legal, there is a high risk of killing non-target animals like someones pet.

After reviewing replies on the other site I have decided not to post any pics of the dog caught in the trap. I dont want the pics to fall into the hands of the anti hunting/trapping establishment.

As I have already said, I don't want to start or aid in any anti trapping dialogue. I do think some changes could be made in trapping techniques that would reduce the risk of this happening again. The traps could be put in trees, livetraps could be used, coon cuffs, etc. These methods may not be as convenient or effective, but they could work.

Also, should trappers be legally obligated to pay for killing non target species? In this day and age how is someone not held liable for killing someone else's animal.

[backyard beagler]

If I shoot someone's horse while deer hunting then chances are I would be liable so I think someone should be held liable for a dog that gets killed.

[Anderson Upland Beagles]

very sorry to read this .I know what you mean ive trap a bit in my day and fell that type conibear trap should only be used in water ?I just used leg holds for fox

[SouthernBeagles]

The first year we joined our hunting lease we had one of our dogs caught in a leg hold trap. It seems the trapper had perission the year before but assumed he had permission from that point on. Fortunatly my dog was not seriously hurt.......I am sorry for your loss.

I don't see how it could do anything but help prevent these kind of situations if he was required to post a notice that traps were in use withen so many yards of the trap on a main entry trail like road beds or 4 wheeler trails.

I have no problems with trappers. Matter of fact we have one coming in to trap the coyotes this year BUT we sure would have liked to have known there were traps in the area. we would have gone to a different area and turned out. There is room for all of us.

[SilverZuk]

IIRC the trapper is liable for killing the dog.

In WV it is illegal to use a body grip trap on land.
IIRC it has to be submerged (beavers, minks, muskrat, etc.).

Snares are the biggest legal trapping device I worry about around here.
More than likely you will not get to your dog in time.

[chapkosbeagles]

the law says that the dog is sapose to be on a leash at all times out of your yard so that is a chance that all of us beaglers take

[Chuck Terry]

I really appreciate the fact that you did not become anti-trapping. We should be on the same side against our true enemies. Most trappers I have known were really nice folks. I think the biggest problem is the communication. Not just them telling us they are trapping but us also making it clear where we will be casting hounds and inquiring as to whether anyone else would be trapping/hunting/poisoning/whatever the same property. Most of these type incidents are avoidable but occasionally something will happen. Poisoning for coyotes became pretty common here a few years ago. Now, most who have access to Temic have become afraid to give it to others and risk losing their pesticide license. Of course, the anti-freeze idiots are still out there. The poison scares me more than traps! I will pass up the opportunity to hunt anytime safety of my beagles is questionable.

[wvbill]

Sorry to hear about what happened.

Being a trapper and a houndsmen it is tough to hear this. I do know that every time I take my hounds out I take a chance. Heck going to work every day I take a chance with all of the idiots out there.

I dont like the idea of setting conibears on land. I have trapped in states that it is legal to do this and I didnt. Due to the fact of what you experienced.



Silver Zuk,

I can understand why you are concerned with what you call snares. Due the fact that most are not educated on them. I am not sure if you are aware of the regs that trappers have to abide by in setting these in the state, this is not covered in the hunting/trapping regs handbook. The are called cable restraints not snares and they are designed to hold an animal not what most people have visions of.......Being a houndsmen, I stay with my dogs, so I know the general vicinity they are in at ALL times. I am more concerned with leg holds over the cable restraints. Most Domesticated animals once caught will not fight to free themselves.

Bill

[billi]

My son took my best dog hunting about 2 years ago in a place that had many sink holes. She came up missing and he found her down in deep in a condibear trap. She did live somewhat of a miracle. Here in this part of Indiana its so populated i just cant see settin land traps as a matter of fact everywhere is getting to populated. I think some that set these just have little common sense.

[mike crabtree]

We pulled 3 dogs out of Snares 2 years ago. All of the dogs had been on a chain before, so I guess that makes them stop when they get caught.

[Anderson Upland Beagles]

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/LAND/wil ... 8trap1.pdf

[Ryan]

Was this public land?
I hate to hear about it.however its going to happen in footholds or killer traps.I'm sure the state has plenty of training on the subject,but It doesn't hurt to add your expeirence.But like I said its going to happen.I am glad that the trapper was responsable and kind,for an event that is bound to happen he set a good example for future,or novice trappers,and hunters.I don't think trappers should be liable,unless they are breaking the law.Yes there are other "safer" methods but we have the right to use killer traps and one argument toward stopping it is one argument toward loosing all our rights.Its like the arguments about ak rifles and auto rifles some say we don't need them,well its our right to have them and when you want to take the autos away then they will try to take out other guns away.same way with killer traps.
I am sorry to hear about your dog.All I can say is try to find out if there is any trappers where you might be hunting and if there is find out how many,and try to get to know them and ask them where they set the traps.Also find out how well the area is monitored,if the area doesn't have good law enforcment don't risk your dogs getting caught in an illegal trap.
most of the public lands I hunt you have to have a special permit to trap,you could talk to your C/O and find out who is trapping that area, thats the reason for the permit,also in certain areas they may be restricted to certain traps.Its like one guy posted already comunication,talk to conservation officers,find out who's trapping,who has ADC liscense and so on.In other words get to know the area you hunt and know it well.

[THALL]

Traps are the one thing that worries me when i hunt. Conibears must be set under water in arkansas. sorry about your dog.

[Joshua and Stephanie]

my dads dog got killed last hunting season the same trap. we just talk to the old man that traps and he gets at lease half the season. or he lets us know what half of the land he is traping on so we can stay clear. it;s sad that it happens. but he has just as much of a right to enjoy his hobby. joshua lee

[Chris Shoopman]

there is a guy trapin on my farms right now, has been most of the winter, he tells me and all the nabors he has them out, it sure makes for a lot more Birds and rabbits the next year or it did last year....