Editor:
In reference to recent letters on a trapping bylaw for Sechelt, I have the following comments.
The statement by Mr. Ellis that a previous writer probably did not have to trap animals for her winter clothing is no doubt accurate. In fact, 99.9 per cent of people in Sechelt do not have to trap animals for winter clothing. I would also like to talk to anyone who depends solely on trapping as a source of food in our District.
The second letter by R.J. Frederick states that there are many trappers on the Sunshine Coast. I would like to know exactly what that number is. His statement appears to be an exaggeration of the truth in my opinion. His statement that the proposed bylaw "could have a significant impact on the ability of wildlife control operators to remove nuisance or dangerous animals from within the municipality" is also a scare tactic and half-truth, since the proposed bylaw would contain adequate provisions and procedures to handle such situations.
The truth of the mater is this: the majority of residents in Sechelt want a trapping bylaw that prohibits the use of leg hold, Conibear and snare traps. This is evidenced by more than 1,500 names on a petition that was presented to the previous Sechelt council. No one is going to starve or freeze to death as a result of such a bylaw being passed - and that is a fact.
Geoff Bedford
Sechelt
