A young raccoon was euthanized after its leg became stuck in a trap in a Langley neighbourhood, and The Fur-Bearers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to those responsible.
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A young raccoon was euthanized after its leg became stuck in a leg-hold trap in a Langley neighbourhood, according to The Fur-Bearers animal protection association.
The Critter Care Wildlife Society said a concerned homeowner contacted it this week after noticing the raccoon dragging the trap.
Leg-hold traps are legal in British Columbia but are subject to specific rules, the society said, describing how the spring-loaded device snaps shut when sufficient weight is applied and can clamp onto an animal’s leg or lower body.
Because the raccoon suffered severe injuries, it was put down.
The Fur-Bearers said it is now offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person or people responsible for setting the trap.
Lesley Fox, executive director of The Fur-Bearers, said traps of this type are dangerous and predictably cause serious injuries to wildlife.
Fox added that her organization believes there may be potential violations of the Wildlife Act and is encouraging anyone with information to contact the BC Conservation Officer Service’s RAPP Line.
The organization said residents provided security camera footage in September showing a young raccoon dragging a trap, and that they also reported seeing a cat dragging a trap around Hi-Knoll Park near the Surrey-Langley border.
Anyone with information about the traps was directed to contact the RAPP Line at 1-877-952-7277 or submit information anonymously online.
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