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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2008-02-07, Page 18Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh council will not proceed with a bylaw prohibiting trapping on road- sides. At their Jan. 22 meeting, council heard reports from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers, local licenced trappers and concerned residents who all felt the matter needed serious consideration. Council resolved that no bylaw would be put into effect because they simply don’t have enforcement offi- cers to monitor. “We did not pass a bylaw,” said reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek. “The way it was left, trappers are required to obtain permission from the town- ship before laying any traps.” All wishing to trap within the township can only do so after receiv- ing permission from either the roads superintendent, or township clerk, Van Diepenbeek said. “I’m puzzled that I’m even here today. I’m from a trapping family,” said Naomi Vodden, author of a let- ter printed in local publications that spurred a heated debate about ethical trapping. “On Nov. 23, my youngest son asked to take our dogs for a run on our long leashes. The youngest dog did run off of the yard, and then my son heard a yelp, and there was the dog dying in the trap. My 12- year-old son didn’t even know it was a trap; thought it was a piece of metal. I know the law says that dogs must be on a leash, but no reasonable or ethical trapper would have had traps anywhere near domestic ani- mals. I know that within a farming community like A-C-W, there are animal concerns that call for trap use.” “The trap used is designed to kill, and would very likely hurt or restrain a child. I’ve taken youth groups, Scouts and Beavers, out on road allowances to clean up for the township, and they’re not looking for traps, they just pick up anything.” Joe Fralick, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources conservation offi- cer, reported on the investigation progress of the illegal trap that killed a dog owned by Vodden. “I am the officer in charge of the investigation and as a conservation officer, my duty is to enforce the laws of Ontario and trapping legisla- tion ... I’m very sorry for the loss of your dog,” he said. Armed with a book of Ontario leg- islation, FMF regulations and numerous trapping guides, Fralick addressed council on the status of his investigation. “The trap in question on Creek Line was unlawful. A 330 set on land is unlawful so that incidents like this don’t happen. You can’t have a trap greater than 22 cm set on land,” he said. “You need a licence to trap. A farmer has the right to trap on his own property. There is no evidence to suggest this was set by a licenced or and unlicenced trapper.” “The loss of any domestic animal is very unfortunate, and I offer my condolences to the Vodden family. Ontario legislation is written to pre- vent this type of thing from happen- ing. The trap involved was illegal. If a bylaw was in place on Nov. 18, it’s still on each person to abide by them. Whether or not regulations were set in A-C-W at the time of this incident, I think in this instance, it wouldn’t have made a difference.” When asked if there was any evi- dence of more illegal traps like this set in A-C-W, Fralick said yes. “During the course of my investi- gation so far, I’ve been tipped off to a number of similar traps on adjacent roads. When I arrived at these loca- tions, however, the traps were no longer there,” he said. Animal control officer Bob Trick held up the exact type of Conibear, a 330 used in the incident that resulted in the death of the Voddens’ small dog. Vodden urged Trick to set the trap, and activate it before the gallery of nearly 40 concerned resi- dents and trappers. “I don’t think you get the impact unless it goes off,” she said. Trick set and triggered the trap, which snapped shut with about 90 pounds of pressure. “I’m a trapper and proud to be one,” said Verle Barfoot, zone direc- tor for Ontario Fur Managers in Huron-Perth and Grey-Bruce and township valuer and creditor. “I see a real need for trapping. We have a new education program for all new trappers that lasts several hours and includes theory and hands-on educa- tion.” The Owen Sound trapper said the trap in question should not have been set near a fence. “You could set a 220 trap 10 to 12 feet from the fence,” he said. “If it were me, I’d look the situation over, go to a farmer and request his per- mission to trap on his property. You can dog-proof this type of trap to an extent by putting steaks up around it. Dogs will avoid it, but raccoons will stay on their known path.” In an open forum-style presenta- tion, many voiced their concerns for both the necessity and the dangers of trapping on publicly access land, such as municipal road allowances. Residents expressed their wishes to see more information and notifica- tion during the raccoon and beaver trapping season, typically from Oct. 15 to Jan. 15 annually. “I’m actively canvassing schools in Huron-Perth to let me in for edu- cation sessions,” said Fralick. PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2008.A-C-W passes no bylaw to haltroadside trapping Book signing North Huron councillor and administrative assistant to MP Paul Steckle, Greg McClinchey, left, was in Blyth with his boss on Saturday to sign copies of his biography on Steckle. Marg Webster was one of those on hand to visit with the politician and purchase an autographed copy of Stickin’ to His Guns, A Through the Keyhole Look at Paul Steckle. 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