Jax, Brooklyn and Barkley were killed by legal snare traps the same day (photo courtesy of Casper Star Tribune Communications)
Last week, the Cardenas family near Casper, Wyoming, was searching for one of their St. Bernard dogs when two of their other St. Bernard dogs were caught in snare traps and killed. They found the third dog in a snare trap as well. He, too, was killed. Ironically, three other pet dogs were caught in traps in Wyoming this year, according to Born Free USA.
Born Free USA reports that this tragedy is far too common around the country. According to the organization’s online non-target trapping incident database, hundreds of thousands of unintended trapping deaths and injuries occur across the United States.
The snare traps that killed the three St. Bernard dogs were legal, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Born Free USA’s State Trapping Report Card gives Wyoming a D+ grade. An academic letter grade is given to each state based on its animal trapping regulations that have the greatest impact on animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and public safety.
Snare Traps
Snares are categorized as either body/neck or foot snares. They are generally made of light wire cable looped through a locking device or of a small nylon cord tied so that it will tighten as the animal pulls against it. The more a snared animal struggles, the tighter the noose becomes, the tighter the noose, the greater the animal’s struggle and suffering.
The body snare is used primarily on coyotes and often is set where animals crawl under a fence or some other narrow passageway. It is designed to kill by strangulation or crushing of vital organs. However, snares do not discriminate and will capture any animal by any body part.
Because they are cheap and easy to set, trappers often will saturate an area with dozens of snares to catch as many animals as possible.
CEO of Born Free USA, Adam M. Roberts, stated the following on this latest tragedy: “This senseless incident is a disturbing example of how non selective these deadly traps are. We have seen time and time again what happens when people set these traps for wild animals. They catch, maim, torture, and kill not only wild animals like coyotes, fox, raccoons, and mink to feed the fur industry, but also domestic animals — people’s beloved companion dogs and cats. Trapping is indiscriminate and cruel to animals, and a very serious public safety and conservation issue. I continue to be mystified as to how this antiquated cruelty can happen in America as we approach 2015.”
Trapping is largely unregulated across the United States. Roberts adds, “Fur trapping dates back to the early 1600s and has hardly changed. It remains barbaric, and many people are not even aware that this is happening in neighborhoods with pets and children.”
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This is so shocking to read. What the heck is going on? Killing pet dogs with these traps. Time to do something!
This never should’ve happened. These traps should be banned. They aren’t humane. Animals suffer a cruel death. Now these dogs suffered a tragic death. RIP
Oh my God! How and awful for this family. Stop using these traps. I can’t imagine losing three dogs at one time.
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Ban all of these traps! They cause too much suffering before the animal dies! RIP babies.
So sickening and disheartening! To lose one dog is so painful. Losing all three at one time. My heart goes out to them. Snare traps are archaic and cruel. They shouldn’t be legal anywhere.
Crying my eyes out. :’ (
Oh my God, this is so horrible. God bless them and their family.