Search Trapping Incidents Database

A bear cub was caught in an illegal snare on a Coast Guard base on Kodiak Island. It is illegal to trap anywhere on the base. The cub’s injuries were so severe that the cub had to be put down. The sow was found wandering the area after the incident.

Skeeter was found in a trap set by a neighbor and shot in the head. He was alive when found and taken to a vet, but had to be euthanized because of his injuries. Investigation is pending as to the legality of the incident.

A black and white male cat was caught in a leg-hold trap, which is illegal in the state of Washington. A woman found the cat who was stuck in the trap for several days in the brambles off a side of a road. The cat’s right, front leg bone was exposed and partially amputated and had to be completely removed.

A kitten was found with a foot-hold trap on its front paw. Investigators believe the kitten dragged the trap around and somehow ended up in someone’s back yard. That person called animal welfare. The kitten was so badly injured that part of her paw had to be amputated. The trap was illegally set in city limits.

A rabbit hunter’s dog was caught in a leg-hold trap set out for coyotes.

Scooter, a 12-year old Brittany Spaniel, died in a snare trap while being walked through, Locke Avenue Park, a public park. Woolwich Township has a ban on trapping and the incident is being investigated by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife.

A young, male Manx cat nicknamed Trapper was found dragging a foothold trap at a log manufacturing company. The cat was found with his foot in the trap dangling from a hole on one side of a wall while his body was on the other. Upon rescue, the cat had to have his leg amputated. The trap was thought to be set illegally.

Russell Files, a 44-year old man who works for the U.S. Wildlife Services (a tax-payer funded services funded by the USDA) was arrested on suspicion of injuring a neighbor’s dog with a trap. Officers found the 2-year old Australian Cattle dog named Zoey covered in blood with her left front and back feet entangled in a the trap. Zoey also lost 17 teeth trying to gnaw her way out.

A 10-month old Great Pyrenees mix puppy was found caught in a trap and in shock. The puppy’s foot was nearly severed and infected. Police were contacted.

Three golden eagles were caught in separate snare traps over the past few days. The only one to survive was an eagle that was tangled in a snare trap (someone had cut the snare, but left the bird to wander with the cable embedded in its wing and shoulder). The first eagle found was delivered to the MT Raptor Conservation Center dead on arrival. The third eagle had to be euthanized at the trap due to extensive injuries it sustained.