Reno Gazette Journal article March 17, 2010, by Mark Robison: “Cat caught in leghold trap in Sparks park – Fernley man cited”
This is actually a gorgeous ginger tabby! Soon to be named Trapper John and adopted by columnist Mark Robison.
A cat was nearly drowned and suffered a leg injury, a skunk was cruelly trapped and later shot in the head, a raccoon may have been trapped as well. All this in a Sparks park where children and pets play. This is the clearest story to date of the need for banning traps in all Reno-Sparks congested areas. Also points out urgent need for trapper ID on all traps.
Trapper John recovering
The little skunk endured a night of agony like this. Then NDOW personnel shot him in the head the next day because skunks are an “unprotected” species in Nevada.
This took place in a public park. Since there was no ID on the traps, Nevada Dept. of Wildlife (NDOW) wardens had to stake out the area. Eventually the trapper was found and cited, not because his traps endangered families recreating in the park, but because he illegally baited one of his traps. This Cottonwood Park episode provided a major argument for banning trapping in Washoe County congested areas.
Leslie Bagley lives in the Dayton area with a few pets, including her 100-lb. part-pitbull, Brutus. In the evenings, Brutus will jump the fence to play in the neighborhood, a busy residential area. He usually plays for about 30 minutes, then comes right home. However, Feb. 23, 2014, Brutus was gone for an hour and a half. Then Leslie heard Brutus’ “little buddy” whining. She also heard an alarming noise which turned out to be clanking of a metal trap still attached to Brutus’ hind foot. This big dog was strong enough to pull out the spike that held the trap to the ground and so was able to drag himself home, trap and all.
Trap which injured Brutus
Luckily a friend was available to remove the trap. Apparently the rear toes were injured with open wounds. Bagley says: “Brutus was caught in a trap! This is the damage and the swelling after cleaning it up! Worried about that open wound because the trap is rusty! Expect it to look worse in the morning when it has had time to really swell! Thank God it was not a trap with teeth! Could have been much worse!”
Bagley continues: “What concerns me most is the fact that this trap was set where horses, dogs, kids and dirt bikes all play! If he set one he probably set more and who or what will be the next victim? Oh and I called the police who said call fish and game who said call the police!”An NDOW game warden did respond. After walking the back yard area, the warden concluded the trap was set legally, but no further evidence was found. He suggested Brutus might have been in the hills, but Bagley insists this dog goes no further than the neighborhood.
The following week was all about taking care of her injured dog: “He refuses to be away from me for even a second! I have had an revelation….sick boy dogs are as big of babies as sick boy humans! I can not move without Brutus stuck like glue! Poor baby is so sore! Think he’s feeling worse today! “It’s really hard to do anything when 100 pounds of muscle doesn’t want you to go anywhere… Poor baby? Poor me! Can’t do a damn thing and he thinks he should be allowed in my lap!
He’s a very sore very sad boy right now but he will be okay because he is a strong hearted baby.He refuses to be away from me for even a second!”
Feb. 25: “Brutus’ foot today! It is very swollen and very sore! Notice the way the toes are separated because of the swelling and how small his leg looks! My dog is still swollen and very sore. I fear his foot is broken but he is eating now and got excited over a treat so I think he’s feeling a little better! The next few days will be rough on us but we will get through them!
“Apparently this makes the fourth incident in two months that has been reported! How many others weren’t reported?” Bagley warns anybody in the Dayton area to be on the lookout for traps.
Three years ago, my wife and I hiked with our dog in the Pine Nuts. Suddenly we heard the dog hollering. We found her with her foot caught in a trap. I worked hard and got her foot out. It was just a bruise. The trap was set about 15 feet from the trail, which is a popular hiking trail. We left a note on a tree and took the trap home with us. We found out from the warden that we shouldn’t keep the trap. The trapper contacted us and got his trap back. He was pleasant about it. Still, we see no need for trapping.
Since passage of SB364, law now requires trapper ID or NDOW registration number on all traps set on public land. And the public has the right to disturb a trap that poses obvious risk.
Two years ago our Vizla got trapped in Virginia City Highlands. She was saved by the bell on her collar. That got snapped off by the trap, but the trap didn’t injure her.
About 20 years ago, Cathy Gray’s cat, Snowball, came back to their Rancho Haven home dragging a trap which had snapped onto one of her front paws. Snowball had been missing for two days. Cathy and one other person met her at the front step and managed to get the trap off. The tips of the cat’s toes were injured, but fortunately that was the extent of injury.
