On Boxing Day, Victoria Lethbridge and her partner went for a morning walk with their dog and baby using new snowshoes near their home in Hickman’s Harbour. The walk took a tragic turn when their four-year-old pug Winston got caught and fatally injured in a beaver trap placed along the trail.
Expressing the traumatic experience, Lethbridge shared that the distressing image haunts her, making her hesitant to revisit the trail. Meanwhile, in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Jason Bennett’s husky Brody suffered a leg injury in a spring-loaded trap placed in a frequented area behind the 5 Wing Goose Bay military base. Fortunately, Bennett managed to release Brody’s leg without further harm.
Both incidents have sparked calls for updated trapping regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. While trapping is a regulated activity as part of wildlife management and local culture in Newfoundland and Labrador, there are no specific restrictions regarding setting traps near community trails or parks unless specified by municipal authorities.
Acknowledging the need for enhanced awareness, the Department of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands aims to educate both trappers and pet owners on preventing such incidents. The Ministry emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership and adherence to provincial and municipal laws requiring pets to be leashed outside their owner’s property, except in Labrador Inuit lands.
Reflecting on the incidents, Bennett and Lethbridge advocate for improved signage and regulations around community areas to alert pet owners and others about potential traps. Lethbridge suggested that clear warnings could have prompted them to leash their pets and avert the tragedy.
Despite recognizing trapping as a cultural tradition, Lethbridge stresses the significance of preventive measures such as flags or signs to safeguard pets in the future. The community has rallied around Lethbridge, offering support and condolences following the loss of Winston, who had a profound impact on many hearts.
As discussions continue on trapping regulations and pet safety, the incidents serve as a sobering reminder of the need for heightened awareness and responsible practices in shared outdoor spaces.