Two disturbing sets of images have arrived via e-mail recently. One is of a dog that needed to have both legs on one side amputated above his foot (one of many dogs killed or maimed by trappers this year in Southcentral Alaska).
The other is of a wolf still alive with a snare that had cut most of the way through his neck in a complete circle. This long suffering animal was being treated by a vet at considerable public expense. Another wolf with similar injuries could not be located, but was known to have survived for almost two weeks.
What kind of people are interested in this sort of pastime?
As a retired law enforcement detective I recall a legal concept which made clear that people are legally responsible for the "natural and probable consequences of their acts." As such I'm asking if it is time to take legislative action to limit recreational trapping.
Another option would be to restrict trapping in areas frequented by hikers with dogs well beyond the inadequate limits recently enacted by the Board of Game in Chugach State Park.
John Toppenberg
Sterling AK |
