On the day after Christmas, Victoria Lethbridge and her partner ventured out with their dog and baby for a morning stroll in new snowshoes near their residence in Hickman’s Harbour. Unfortunately, their usual walk turned tragic when their four-year-old pug, Winston, fell victim to a beaver trap placed alongside the path.
The distressing incident left Lethbridge haunted by the vivid memory, expressing her reluctance to revisit the trail where the incident occurred. Meanwhile, in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Jason Bennett’s husky, Brody, got ensnared in a spring-loaded trap set near the 5 Wing Goose Bay military base. Fortunately, Bennett managed to free Brody’s leg safely in this case.
Both dog owners now advocate for updated trapping regulations to prevent further harm to pets in the future. While trapping is a regulated wildlife management activity deeply ingrained in Newfoundland and Labrador’s heritage, there are no specific regulations governing the placement of small game traps near community trails or the mandatory display of warning signs.
In response to these incidents, the Minister of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands plans to enhance efforts to educate trappers and pet owners on preventing such occurrences. While expressing sympathy for the pet owners’ losses, the ministry emphasizes the importance of vigilance during trapping and small game seasons to avoid unintended pet captures and conflicts with other outdoor enthusiasts.
Under the Animal Health and Protections Act, pet owners are obligated to leash their animals while off their property throughout the province, except in Labrador Inuit lands. Despite this requirement, both dogs involved in recent incidents were off-leash near their owners on community trails.
Lethbridge and Bennett call for improved signage and regulations near community areas to warn individuals about potential traps. Lethbridge suggests that a simple sign indicating trap presence could have prompted them to leash Winston, potentially averting the tragedy.
Acknowledging trapping as a cultural tradition, Lethbridge refrains from condemning the practice but underscores the potential of flags or signs to safeguard pets in similar situations. The community has rallied behind Lethbridge, offering messages of support and solidarity following the loss of Winston, who had touched many hearts in the area.