Editor:
Last year, here on the Sunshine Coast, a dog and a cat got caught in a leg hold trap. I'm shocked to hear that recently a Barred Owl got caught in a leg-hold trap in Surrey. The latest word is that its leg was amputated, meaning it cannot be released back into the wild as it catches its food with both talons. Another dog lost its leg in Calgary and so it goes on and on. These are the cases that get discovered and reported but how many are not?
Last fall the mayor and council of Gibsons did not have to think twice about placing a ban on leg-hold, conibear and snares traps in the Town of Gibsons. We congratulate the past council for their compassion and courage in making the right decision to protect our pets, wildlife, hikers, kids and all others who use the forest trails and parks. So far their bylaw sets the standard for other communities to follow.
We are now waiting for Sechelt to do the right thing and ban these body gripping traps. They are cruel, barbarian and very dangerous. Mayor and council of Sechelt, it is now your turn to keep our pets, wildlife and people safe.
Cornelia van Berkel
Sechelt
