Count Katie Tretter and her family of rural Brainerd among those calling for legislation to restrict the use of body-gripping traps.
Tretter contacted the Brainerd Dispatch Thursday to report that Birdie, her 4-year-old British Labrador, was killed Dec. 30 after being caught in a body-gripping trap on her neighbor’s property, about five miles east of Brainerd. Her family lives on Mud Lake.
DNR Conservation Officer Jim Guida investigated the incident and confirmed the death.
Tretter said Birdie, who was a trained upland and water fowl dog, wandered onto a neighbor’s property and was killed by a body-gripping trap that had been baited with fresh meat. The dog was a house dog who had been included in their Christmas card.
“It’s just ridiculous they can set these traps,” Tretter said.
She said she believed the trap, which was on private property, was legal.
“It’s not like our dogs run and roam,” she said. “Other traps can be used.”
Tretter says her family members also trap but do not use body-gripping traps.
“It’s just complete negligence to put that type (of trap) on the ground,” she said.
She advocated for body-gripping traps to be used only when they’re submerged or five feet above the ground.
Buzz Neprud of Crosby, a director of the Minnesota Trapping Association, referred questions on the issue to the association’s attorney, Gary Leistico. A message was left for the attorney but he could not be reached Thursday.
Rep. John Ward, DFL-Baxter, introduced a bill last session that required such traps to be five feet above the ground or submerged in water. He said representatives of trappers and dog owners met Saturday and agreed on some but not all issues involved in possible legislation. Ward said he has made both groups aware of legislative deadlines and hopes to build legislation around a consensus between the two groups. If no consensus is found Ward and Sen. Charles Wiger, DFL-Maplewood, will consider legislation on the body-gripping traps issue.
MIKE O’ROURKE, associate editor, may be reached at 855-5860 or mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com. He may be followed at www.twitter.com/MikeORourkenews.
Comments (59)
Add commentJHBRT-
Can we speak on the phone please? If this story is true i can just about guarantee you I can help you find out who irresponsible. Again, if there were trebel hooks involved several really good laws were broken. I will be able to find out who is responsible if you want to-
As a responsible trapper there is no room for that sort of mistreatment-
send me an email here with your number, or give me your email and ill send you mine. Lets find out who this trapper is, he is giving us all a bad name!
michael
JHBRT-
Can we speak on the phone please? If this story is true i can just about guarantee you I can help you find out who is responsible. Again, if there were trebel hooks involved several really good laws were broken. I will be able to find out who is responsible if you want to-
As a responsible trapper there is no room for that sort of mistreatment-
send me an email here with your number, or give me your email and ill send you mine. Lets find out who this trapper is, he is giving us all a bad name!
michael
In this situation, Hunt, it seems it would be far better if
those affected could come to agreement without gov't. involvement. How's that process working out, by the way?
I don't really have a dog in this hunt, Hunt, except to observe that personal responsibility may be viewed differently, depending on whether one is the trapper or the trapped (and the owner of the "trapped", or killed animal -- who are, indeed "family members" in most cases). From the outside, it doesn't automatically jump out that one side is demonstrating more "personal responsibility" than the other. A legalistic paradigm doesn't necessarily encompass the full scope of the ethical issues involved, either (which is why I appreciated Purposed comments about what a jury trial outcome might be, whether the shooter was technically "right" or not).
Why not go with the seeming win-win solutions suggested by Muskie (elevated or submerged traps, and so forth)? I'm not familiar with trapping, but it seemed like he was, and it made sense, from a novice's perspective.
Micheal
They already know who is responsible.
Here's an associated thread
Here's an associated thread on Trapperman dot Com. You'd better be quick to look at it because Trapperman shuts these threads down very fast. One time they even accused another poster of being me and banned him and deleted his post.
It's disappointing to see commonsense ideas shot down. And it all comes down to the unwillingness of a minority of trappers who are unwilling to check their traps daily.
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3588048/This_doesn...
fish
A statute tells you what you can't do, not what you can. This is supposedly a free country. Maybe that is part of the problem, too many people like you waiting for the government to tell you what you can do.
Micheal leave me your email
Leave me your email or number, they even have pictures and vet statement, even kept the treble hooks the vet took out.
Hey fishhead
Thanks for the link over at "trapperman.com". Some really interesting reading there. Some of the trappers have it figured out and make allot of sense. Also interesting to hear what trappers from other states have to say on this subject here in MN. Especially from the states Wis and Georgia. Hope they don't pull the thread.
Hunt1
You're missing an important piece.
Compassion.
having the law or logic in your corner doesn't count for enough; without a heart you're only a narcissistic [filtered word].
Fish:
thanks for posting that link to the trappers forum. I think we could take a lesson from some of the people on that site, people that see both sides and genuienly want to find a way for everyone to get something. On here its mostly "Me!, and forget you".
Eyolf you prove my point wonderfully.
You and folks like Bubba spout nonsense about how those of us that value personal responsibility lack compassion. What drivel.
Allowing dogs to just run free is not compassionate, its cruel. If a parent allows their child to play on the highway, they aren't being compassionate. A compassionate dog owner teaches his dog discipline. Both pet and owner are happier and the neighbors will definately be happier. Think of how much better this situation would have been if the dog owner had simply kept the dog in their own yard. The family would not be mourning the loss of their pet, the pet would be alive to grace another Christmas card, and the neighbor wouldn't have to be caught in the middle of this situation. And best of all, the government wouldn't have to be figuring out how to pass more laws.
Compassion is practicing and teaching responsiblity. That's hardly a "legalistic paradigm", it's a moral code. The irony is that suddenly those of us that believe we are responsible for taking care of ourselves and our families are "narcissistic ######'s" and those (eyolf, Bubba etc) who think the government and other people should take care of them claim to be the compassionate ones.
I'm not a trapper
I'm a dog owner. I used to let my one dog run loose the dog catcher spent @ 1 1/2 years trying to catch him . When he finally did he was put down. I really missed that dog but i have no one to blame but myself. I've learned my lesson I keep my dog under control and in his YARD!! Not the neighbors!! Take Responsibility for you're pet. DON'T BE A DEMOCRAT.
Where is the responsibility
Where is the responsibility of the trapper who sets the trap baited with meat and lure designed to entice predators to seek out the trap from long distances?
re body traps
What an absolutely disgusting thing.
Hunt: You seem to rely on the laws more than common sense.
Common sense says, as much as a parent or dog owner might try, there will be times when human frailty (or animal biology) prevails, laws and your construct of Republican "personal responsibility" be damned. Private property lines WILL be crossed, and the agreements between folks in a civil society have to take this into consideration. Given that children and dogs don't always behave within their parental/owner dictates, how do we come together to avoid tragedy? I don't want to stereotype you (in the manner you are comfortable stereotyping all liberals), but you seem to think that the law is the law, (property) lines are the lines, and that's that. Is it really that cut and dried?
Birdie the dog
I'm sorry to hear that your dog died but I don't feel sorry for you. You let it out without giving it protection, like a kennel or a leash. I love dogs and I never let my dogs run out of my yard. IF YOU LOVE YOUR PET, KEEP IT AT HOME! AND WHAT IF THAT HAD BEEN SOMEONES CHILD? BAN THOSE TRAPS!!!
People just don't seem to get it. Keep your pets at home and that includes cats! "Oh my dog doesn't run, it might wander off once in awhile". Well your dog won't 'wander' anymore will it! That's lifes lesson to you. LEARN FROM IT! Educate other pet owners.
The irony meter has pegged.
Yumbo accusing me of using laws over common sense. Let me get this straight Yumbo. Who is it that is asking for more laws here? My whole point is for each of us to take care of our own pets. Treat them like the "family member" you claim them to be and keep them safe and teach them not to wonder off on to the street or "bad places" where they could be harmed. If we all did this we wouldn't have to be making out our neighbors to be the bad people when our pets wander on to their land. This is common sense.
Asking for more laws to be passed to protect our "family members" because we won't do it ourselves is what YOU are asking for. MY solution is to take care of it ourselves, your solution is more laws.
Sorry Hunt, but your logic fails.
It all boils down to this:
Katie Tretter misses her dog.
Opposing this are all the folks that are so very worried about losing their "sacred trapping rights", that they are completely unable to exhibit ANY compassion for the Tretters. And maybe that's the first place to start; having compassion for others, rather than "ME FIRST!"
That line you're drawing in the sand? On the same side of it are folks that are happy that Tretter's dog is dead, and glad that Tretter is mourning. Think about that before you draw those lines.
Minnesota doesn't have laws that limit the proximity of traps and snares to people's homes or favored trails; until very recently it hasn't been a problem. Hunters, hikers and their dogs stayed near the trails when the snow was deep, and trappers avoided high traffic areas when the snow wasn't.
Are we arguing WHOM should adjust...so the other side doesn't have to? And why are we choosing sides; why are we drawing lines between hunters, trappers and dog owners?
Go to Fish's link to see some really astute posts by intelligent posters about this issue. I especially liked the one by someone who worried that it may soon come to people disposing of dog carcasses caught by mistake, rather than making an attempt to find the owner. That shows me that the commenter has some compassion, and some courage...he knows that someone may be sorely missing their dog and if nothing else, would appreciate knowing what had happened. Courage comes in when it suggests that he might personally contact them with their dog and an apology.
That would be the adult response. If the dog owner should choose to be a child after that point...at least the trapper took the high road while the dog owner looked like a jerk.
Conibear traps , and family dogs
Following the tragedy of what is happening to the Grey Wolf , I have have been made aware of the values of some states.. It's been shocking and sad. I travel with my dog , and will look closely at state laws before I choose my next vacation destination... for example Wisconsin WAS our weekend trip for generations. Trappers are now even allowed to infect their state parks with these things. I know every park in Wisconsin , and we had even left our camper in Wiscosin as a summer home. There is no way in hell that I would do that now... These states are littered with indiscriminate death traps.. I don't get people who believe torture and death is fun.. Goodbye , Montana , Wisconsin , Idaho , Minnesota....
Conibear traps , and family dogs
Following the tragedy of what is happening to the Grey Wolf , I have have been made aware of the values of some states.. It's been shocking and sad. I travel with my dog , and will look closely at state laws before I choose my next vacation destination... for example Wisconsin WAS our weekend trip for generations. Trappers are now even allowed to infect their state parks with these things. I know every park in Wisconsin , and we had even left our camper in Wiscosin as a summer home. There is no way in hell that I would do that now... These states are littered with indiscriminate death traps.. I don't get people who believe torture and death is fun.. Goodbye , Montana , Wisconsin , Idaho , Minnesota....
Conibear traps , and family dogs
Following the tragedy of what is happening to the Grey Wolf , I have have been made aware of the values of some states.. It's been shocking and sad. I travel with my dog , and will look closely at state laws before I choose my next vacation destination... for example Wisconsin WAS our weekend trip for generations. Trappers are now even allowed to infect their state parks with these things. I know every park in Wisconsin , and we had even left our camper in Wiscosin as a summer home. There is no way in hell that I would do that now... These states are littered with indiscriminate death traps.. I don't get people who believe torture and death is fun.. Goodbye , Montana , Wisconsin , Idaho , Minnesota....
fish
Its his land! He paid for it not you! He pays the taxes not you so Keep you and you're DOG OFF PRIVATE PROPERTY. IT'S ILLEGAL SO STOP BREAKING THE LAW!!!
We dog owners know these
We dog owners know these traps could be out there its up to us ( the dog owners) to make sure they dont run. Now y couldn't trappers put up signs if they are trapping on state land? Then u would now they are there. Then we can take special steps so are dogs stay out of those area's. Now if u trap on your own land throw some signs up. Then when our dogs get in a trap its our fault and we can't blame this on everyone else.
Traps are the drift nets of the land . They are indiscriminate
The world made Japan stop using drift nets , Traps are the drift nets of the land , and civilized states and countries are beginning to ban them . Israel and the Netherlands have also banned fur. States that allow this are looked at as irresponsible and barbaric.
But, but, isn't it a violation
Of the second amendment or the first or some law?
And beaver coats are so in this year, we need more beaver trapped, right?
My pets were at the mercy of an old codger with a b.b. gun.
Not a nice scene when he connected with our cat.
southie
Really Really hate to Burst you're bubble but U just aint a couger!!!!
Hmm if you start looking good Its time to go home!!!
southie
Just kidding Ma'am. But I bet somebody had to call 911 Ehh??
Fish say what you want. If you as a dog owner (Teach & Keep) Then you wont have to many problems. Unless you have a liberal dog/owner?? Then I guess that would be the teacher?? YorN??