Council considers trap ban
Enderby may ultimately clamp down on the trapping of animals.
Council was asked by resident Gina Son Monday to ban the use of leg-hold and snare traps within city limits.
“Staff will research the issue, including our ability to enact bylaws,” said Mayor Howie Cyr.
“It was a compelling presentation.”
Besides the potential impact on wild animals, Cyr is concerned traps could put public safety at risk.
“If a kid is in a field and comes into contact with a trap, it could be a scary situation,” he said.
City research will involve reviewing what other municipalities have done about traps.
“Hopefully we will come back with an informed decision,” said Coun. Greg McCune.
“My best guess is we’ll have some sort of bylaw but the question is whether we can enforce it.”
Son is concerned residents may be using traps to kill beavers and other animals considered to be a nuisance.
“I believe these traps, such as the leg-hold trap, are cruel, outdated and pose a safety risk to local residents and their pets,” she said in a letter to council.
“Trapping is so problematic that a handful of other communities have banned traps.”
She says there are alternatives to traps including non-lethal water flow devices to prevent flooding caused by beavers.
“Also, tightening up bylaws to encourage residents not to feed wildlife — not leave their garbage out — goes a long way to prevent conflicts with wildlife,” said Son, who is a member of the Association for the Protection of Fur Bearing Animals.
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