Injured raccoon sparks call for ban of leg-hold traps
Surrey council is being asked to take action after a raccoon was discovered Sunday afternoon with a paw caught in a leg-hold trap in Guildford (see photo at left).
The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals sent a letter to Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and council members Monday, asking the city to "ban the leg-hold, Conibear and snare trap."
In addition, the association is also offering a $2,500 reward for "information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for setting this leg-hold trap."
Anyone with information can call Adrian at 604-435-1850.
"Not only are lethal traps an outdated and ineffective form of wildlife control, they also present a danger to the community," wrote Lesley Fox, the group's executive director.
The adult male raccoon was found by area residents on the floor of a shed in the 9700 block of 155 Street, the trap clamped on its front left paw.
The animal was retrieved by the Surrey SPCA and the Critter Care Wildlife Society. Its wound was infected, and the raccoon had to be euthanized.
"It's hard to believe these are still used in this day and age," said Gail Martin, founder and executive director of Critter Care.
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