Pet owners call for trapping signage, regulation near community trails
CBC
On Boxing Day, Victoria Lethbridge and her partner took their dog and baby out for a morning walk in brand new snowshoes around the corner from their home in Hickman’s Harbour.
Their routine walk was cut short, ending in tragedy when their four–year-old pug Winston was caught and killed in a beaver trap set next to the trail.
“It was really traumatic,” said Lethbridge, unable to get the vivid image out of her mind. “It's, like, a trail that I don't even wanna go on anymore.”
Up in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Jason Bennett’s husky Brody caught his leg in a spring-loaded leg trap set in the area behind the 5 Wing Goose Bay military base where people frequently go on walks. In this case, Bennett was able to free Brody’s leg safely.
“I'm still very frustrated and upset that people can go and do something like this,” he said. “It's not a place for trapping by any means. It's right in town. It's right on the base.”
There are no provincial regulations about setting up small game traps near community trails or being required to display cautionary signage.
But these two dog owners are calling for an update on trapping regulation to avoid future injuries and deaths to pets.
Trapping is a government regulated activity, done as a way of wildlife management and a long standing part of Newfoundland and Labrador culture. The 2025-2026 hunting and trapping guide states trappers must have a licence and beaver trappers in particular are assigned a fixed trapline.
As far as trapping near community areas, trails or parks, there are no restrictions unless indicated otherwise by a municipality.
CBC News asked for an interview with Pleaman Forsey, minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, but was given a statement which said the department will be expanding efforts to inform both trappers and pet owners on how to avoid these types of incidents.
"Losing a pet is always difficult, and we extend our sympathies to the pet owners," it read.
"We encourage trappers and pet owners to take care during trapping and small game season to help prevent accidental capture of pets and to avoid conflict with other outdoor resource users."
The statement also said pet owners are required to control their animals in accordance with provincial and municipal legislation.
The province’s Animal Health and Protections Act states all pets must be leashed when off an owner’s property throughout the province, excluding Labrador Inuit lands.
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