Mr. Peter Kelly

I refer to your letter with respect to the placement of traps near municipalities. I have a great deal of sympathy for your plight and share your concern with respect to the safety issue noted by you. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to this situation as often trappers are called upon to trap nuisance animals within municipal limits. Further, a prohibition on trapping within’ municipal boundaries would likely increase the number of such nuisance problems encountered.

Fortunately, most trappers are very ethical with respect to trap placement and earnestly try to avoid areas where pets may be accidentally trapped. There have been very few such instances over the years, however, I readily admit that occasionally they do occur, such as in your case.

In such instances we attempt to work with the trappers to ensure that they are aware of the problem and take appropriate measures to avoid these areas. The problem of course is in defining what is an appropriate distance to be safe. This will vary considerably depending on the species and type of trap being used and how it is set.

Finally, I must point out that the pet owner must take some responsibility in this area and ensure that their pets are not roaming at will over large areas.

I have instructed my officials to undertake a thorough review of this issue and to report back to me. Once I have received this I will ascertain what options, if any, are available to deal with this situation.

Sincerely,

Clyde Jackman

PO Box 8700, St. John's, NL. A1B 4J6 - Office (709) 729-2574 - Fax (709) 729-0112

I really don't get how the term prohibition keeps being entered into what I am trying to accomplish here. To state "a prohibition on trapping within’ municipal boundaries" indicates a ban on trapping which is not my goal! My goal is to convince the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador to "Implement laws restricting the use & type of traps allowed in residential & public places!" While I know the wording would need to be refined if implemented into law, below is what I proposed in writing to minister Jackman.

Small game trapping should not be permitted within 1km of a residence in a municipal area and 500 meters from public areas such as parks, camp grounds and public walking trails, unless a proven nuisance problem exists.

Nuisance problems must be investigated & verified by a wildlife official.

Special permits will be issued for nuisance problems and will only be granted to licensed trappers.

These special permits will require trappers to:
1- Inform residents by public notice prier to setting traps
2- Indicate in notice the approximate locations of traps
3- to check trap lines a minimum of once daily
4- Give notice again when traps have been removed from area

Failure to do so will result in having license's revoked and prosecution.

An open stand alone Conibear greater than 6" will be illegal on land sets.

All Conibear land sets greater than 6" will be approved land-sets and subject to the terms as set out for small game trapping.

Fortunately, most trappers are very ethical with respect to trap placement and earnestly try to avoid areas where pets may be accidentally trapped

Unfortunately, while I believe that statement has some truth it goes without saying that the MOST terminology would be greatly improved if we had better laws where (to the best of my knowledge) at the present time very few exist. In addition, if most trappers respect their ethics why is there so much resistance in having those ethical practices implemented into law.

There have been very few such instances over the years, however, I readily admit that occasionally they do occur, such as in your case.

How many does the Dept. of Environment & Conservation consider very few! Personally I was astounded at how common this problem was! Having said that I believe it more important than ever for people to speak up. I will present all incidents that are passed on to me but it might carry more weight if the residents of Newfoundland & Labrador who have encountered careless trapping misfortunes, made their case's know to the public and to the ministers office. Contact info for the Minister's office located at the bottom of letter above!

In such instances we attempt to work with the trappers to ensure that they are aware of the problem

It's to late when such incidents happen and if there are no laws in place, no disciplinary action can be taken and the trapper responsible is free to do the same thing again knowing full well that a verbal berating is the worse recourse. I say that's not good enough!

"Finally, I must point out that the pet owner must take some responsibility in this area and ensure that their pets are not roaming at will over large areas."

Would the minister please define "over large areas" as distance requirements have little sustenance in present trapping regulations according to the Dept. of Environment & Conservation. While we're at lets start putting leashes on our kids for fear they might stray from our backyards!

I take some solace in Minister Jackman's statement; "I have instructed my officials to undertake a thorough review of this issue and to report back to me." I hope the Minister will be true to this statement and ensure the review is being carried out and not just buried under said officials desk.