On the day after Christmas, Victoria Lethbridge and her partner decided to take their dog and baby for a stroll in the fresh snow using new snowshoes near their residence in Hickman’s Harbour. Unfortunately, their usual walk ended tragically when their four-year-old pug Winston got ensnared and fatally injured in a beaver trap placed along the path.
Expressing the trauma of the incident, Lethbridge shared, “It was really traumatic. It’s, like, a trail that I don’t even wanna go on anymore.” Meanwhile, in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Jason Bennett’s husky Brody got caught in a spring-loaded leg trap set near the 5 Wing Goose Bay military base where many people often walk. Fortunately, Bennett managed to free Brody’s leg without harm.
Both dog owners are now advocating for updated trapping regulations to prevent future pet injuries and deaths. They emphasize the need for more stringent rules regarding trapping near community trails and the necessity of warning signage to alert pet owners and others about potential traps in the vicinity.
Trapping is a regulated activity in Newfoundland and Labrador, serving as a wildlife management practice deeply rooted in the local culture. Trappers are required to hold a license, and beaver trappers specifically are assigned designated traplines. While there are no provincial restrictions on trapping near community areas, trails, or parks unless specified by local authorities, efforts are being made to educate trappers and pet owners on avoiding such incidents.
Pet owners are reminded to leash their animals in accordance with provincial and municipal laws. The Animal Health and Protections Act mandates that all pets must be leashed when off the owner’s property, except in Labrador Inuit lands. Despite the recent incidents, where both dogs were off leash while near their owners on community trails, pet owners stress the importance of allowing their pets some freedom while also ensuring their safety.
Lethbridge and Bennett, along with other concerned pet owners, are urging for better regulations and clearer signage to prevent similar tragedies in the future. They believe that simple precautions like warning signs could have prevented the unfortunate events that took the lives of their beloved pets.
Acknowledging the cultural significance of trapping in the region, Lethbridge holds no ill will towards the practice but emphasizes the crucial role of communication and precautionary measures to safeguard pets in the community. The outpouring of support from the community has been a source of comfort for Lethbridge, who expressed, “Winston touched a lot of people’s hearts. This affected the whole community, really.”