BC Conservation is looking for a person of interest believed to be responsible for setting unauthorised wolf traps next to a rural road in Kitimat last month. The traps ensnared a local woman鈥檚 dog, sparking an investigation that has now revealed the leg holds were not set by the trap line鈥檚 registered owner.
Officials are now hoping to identify a person caught on trail cameras at the site on Feb. 17 and 22.
鈥淲e鈥檙e just looking to talk to that person and sort things out,鈥� said CO Michael Geuze. 鈥淭he photo isn鈥檛 the best quality and you can鈥檛 see the person鈥檚 full face, but we鈥檙e asking the public to take a look and let us know if they might know that person.鈥�
He added it鈥檚 too soon to speculate if any fines or charges could be laid.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 know if this person has a licence, but after talking with the trap line owner we know they don鈥檛 have approval to be setting traps there. I鈥檒l have a better idea once we talk to the person.鈥�
BC Conservation was alerted to the situation on Feb. 15 after one of three dogs, belonging to Kitimat resident Alexis Toews, fell victim to the traps while walking off-leash along Saunders Haul Road, an area popular with snowmobilers, hikers, and dog walkers. Attracted by a bait pile of raw fish, the animal veered into the bush and out of sight, triggering a toothless leg-hold trap almost immediately. The dog鈥檚 struggle led to the activation of two additional traps.
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In order to avoid further injury to the animal, the assistance of the RCMP and Kitimat Fire Department was needed to cut two of the holds from the dog鈥檚 front and rear paws.
The dog has since recovered without any broken bones or lasting injuries.
Authorised trappers are not required to post signage around traps near populated areas, and often don鈥檛 volunteer to give up their location over concerns of vandalism and theft.
Despite Toews鈥� understanding of trapping practices through her partner鈥檚 involvement in the field, she has called for a review of trapping laws in areas such as this.
鈥淚f there was a sign at the beginning of this road, which is far away from the traps, I would not have run my dogs there. Neither would other dog owners,鈥� Toews said at the time.
BC Conservation urges anyone with information about the identity of the person of interest to contact the BC Conservation RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.
