Search Trapping Incidents Database

A local photographer saw a grizzly boar trapped in a Conibear trap in the Bridger-Teton National Forest near the Blackrock Ranger Station. The photographer forwarded a photo to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Trappers are only required to check conibear traps once every week, although the first week of the set allows for up to 13 days of check time. This grizzly could still be carrying the attached trap.

A family was sitting outside when they heard a loud snap and a cry. When they looked over their neighbor’s fence, they saw their pet cat in a kill-trap that had been set-up with cat treats. The family does not believe that this is the first time this has happened, as five of their cats have gone missing in the last year. An investigation is underway, and charges of animal cruelty could follow.

A distressed, injured dog caught in a coyote trap wandered around a neighborhood in Lexington County, SC, for five days before rescuers were able to confine her. The dog, now named Hermione, underwent initial surgery on her paw at a local animal hospital, before driving cross-country with rescuers to have additional surgery in Los Angeles.

A juvenile fox was caught in a leghold trap that broke free from the ground. It roamed around Hyde Park for days before finally being captured by a game warden and taken to a veterinarian. By then the leg was too damaged and infected, and the fox had to be euthanized.

Tanklin (“Tank”), a curious and adventurous family pet cat, was found dead in a small-game trap on a vacant property two days after going missing in Cortland, NY. It is against city regulation to set or use a leg-gripping trap of any kind or size, and this incident is currently being investigated by the Cortland Community Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

A family four-wheeling along the Knik River in Anchorage, AK, found a bald eagle caught in a trap. They were able to free the eagle, but the eagle flew off before they could take it to a wildlife rehabilitator.

An 18-year-old man injured his arm in a Conibear trap that was set illegally near a playground in Coffee Creek Park in Chesterton, IN. The man saw the device and reached down to pick it up, not knowing what it was. Medics cut the trap off his arm, which was then splinted and wrapped.

WAYNE COUNTY, UT – In the small town of Loa, Wayne County, Utah, an eagle was found stuck in a trap. The trap type was unspecified. Missing an entire talon from a trapping incident, this eagle will probably not survive due to infection and starvation.

DUBOIS, WY – Norman, 9-year-old cocker spaniel, was out walking with his owners along the edge of a private ranch, 16 miles north of Dubois, Wyoming. They suddenly heard Norman screaming and ran to investigate the cause. They discovered that he had caught his leg in a leghold trap. The owners were glad that they were out walking together, as Norman was thrashing around and biting due to the pain, so they needed one person to hold Normal as the other released the trap. Eventually, they were able to release Norman from the trap. The owners stated that they were glad their dog was a smaller breed, as he may have torn ligaments and suffered more serious injuries while struggling to get free if he had been larger. The couple had previously seen traps along the border of the ranch.

A man and his dog, Cub, were hiking in the Cibola National Forest when Cub got caught in a leghold trap. Cub’s human companion said Cub was in extreme pain, but they were able to free him before Cub suffered any lasting injury. The trap was located approximately 80 feet from the road.