Search Trapping Incidents Database

A leg-hold trap that ensnared a cat resulting in an amputation of one of its legs was set by a wildlife damage control agent intending to catch a fox. The cat, now named Lucky, was found with its left paw caught in the jaws of the trap. Based on its injuries, a veterinarian concluded that the cat had been dragging the trap for several days.

A mountain lion was unintentionally killed in a snare trap set to catch bobcats and other furbearers.

A wild piglet was unintentionally caught in a leg-hold trap. Assumed to have been killed by the trapper.

A 7-year old lab, Bronco, was killed in a 330 Conibear trap while he and his owner were grouse hunting in Schoolcraft State Park. The trap was partially submerged in water, with an intended target of beaver. According to the MN DNR report, the trap was set approx. 50 feet away from the trail.

A fox was found dragging a trap attached to one of its paws. The trap was later found with the fox’s paw still trapped, but the fox was nowhere to be found. The trap was set illegally and the trap with the fox’s paw was turned over to the CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife, which is conducting an investigation.

A beagle was caught in a coyote trap and seriously injured her paw. Authorities are trying to locate her guardian. The trap was legally set.

A family in Wyoming lost 3 St. Bernards – all were caught in snare traps. When one of their St. Bernards, Brooklynn, went missing, the family went out in search of her with their other two St. Bernards, Barkley and Jax. Less than a mile away from their home, Barkley was caught in a snare and died almost immediately. While trying to free Barkley, they turned around and saw that Jax also had been caught in a snare. Jax died while the family was trying to cut the wire off of him. When they reported the incident to Wyoming Fish and Game, they were told that the traps were set legally and that there was nothing they could do.

A stray dog was found trapped in a leg-hold trap on an abandoned property. It was determined that the dog suffered in the trap for 1-2 weeks before being found. The dog, named Flower by humane society, had to have her leg amputated.

A woman and her golden retriever were hiking in the national forest near Loma Grande on a trail when her dog was caught in a leghold trap. The woman was able to release the dog from the trap but not before being bit. The trap had not been check two weeks later when the woman returned with a game warden, in violation of regulations.

A dog let out by a housekeeper to relieve himself when he was caught in a leghold trap within 100 yards from his home for over an hour until his guardian returned home. The German shepherd sustained cuts.