(submitted photo/Northern Tails Animal Rescue)

By Nicole Reis

Snared Pets

Local woman frustrated to find pets snared at Waterhen Lake First Nation

Mar 6, 2020 | 1:24 PM

Content Warning: Graphic images throughout

Reports of snared pets on Waterhen Lake First Nation are frustrating a local dog rescuer.

Stephanie Mamer, of Northern Tails Frontline Animal Rescue, told meadowlakeNOW she is appalled by traps left close to residences on reserve grounds where dogs are being caught in snares and left to suffer for days.

“They’re owned dogs. None of the dogs that have been snared were stray dogs. Those dogs are not feral or strays. Ninety per cent of those dogs on that reserve belong to someone. Whether people want to claim them or not, they belong to someone,” she said.

Band Manager Calvin Opikokew said he does not live on Waterhen Lake First Nation and has no knowledge of dogs caught or snared on the reserve. He said he also has no knowledge of the overpopulation of dogs.

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Clayton Martell is a trapper from Waterhen Lake First Nation and he and said trapping is allowed in the reserve but the overpopulation of dogs is “ridiculous.”

“It happens.Trapping is allowed on the reserve but the overpopulation of dogs, that’s just ridiculous,” Martell said.

Dr. Dick Nitschelm, veterinarian at the Woodland Veterinary Clinic in Meadow Lake, said he cared for seven dogs caught in snares over the last year.

“I would call that frequent. We don’t know how many more are out there that we never see and the results can be devastating,” he said. “Some of those get amputations of the leg and some responsible trappers bring the dogs in themselves. It’s never always the trapper’s fault but some cases probably are a trapper’s fault.”

(submitted photo/Northern Tails Animal Rescue)

Conservation Officer Kevin Harrison said individuals trapping for sustenance are not required a snag permit though are required to follow safety rules. If trapping for income, trappers are covered under the blanket their trapping block has applied for and must operate under conditions of the permit.

On private property, traps are permitted but cannot be set up within 500 metres of a residence.

“If you’re a trapper, we want the best practices of trapping. We want these guys to be respectful of the environment and respectful to the other stakeholders of the community,” he said. “Getting ahold of the people in the areas with one mile (1.6 kilometers) and letting them know you’re setting up traps so people with pets can keep them indoors or tied up.”

Harrison added trappers should check snares within a certain time frame depending on the area and how many dwelling places are within it.

“Follow your permits and if you’re found not adhering to conditions of the permit, trappers could be fined $480 and be subject to a one-year trapping suspension,” Harrison said.

Below are the conditions on a power snare permit to use a mechanically activated neck snare (power snare) to trap fur animal species except black bear:

• The snare cable must be a maximum of 3/64-inch (1.2 mm) diameter with no break-away system or may be 1/16 or 5/64-inch when equipped with a Sullivan S-hook with a maximum of 280 pound breakaway. Snares set in a Wolf Management Area must use certified snares.
• Trappers are permitted to assemble their own coyote snares provided they use Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment approved snare components.
• Snares must be attached to a solid anchor (no drags) which is defined as anything that provides a solid stationary holding device that cannot be moved, lifted, broken or dragged away.
• Subject to the conditions of the permit, the occupants of any residence or dwelling within one-mile (1.6 km) of a power snare set location must be notified of the use and placement of snares prior to use. Note: Trappers are not required to notify the resident of any occupied dwelling within one mile when using the Mini-RAM power snare system.
• The Permittee agrees to observe and comply with all applicable laws, regulations, bylaws, orders and decrees of government or other authorities having jurisdiction.
• The Permittee must be prepared to display this Permit to any member of the RCMP or a Conservation Officer upon request.
• Any wildlife captured or killed in a snare set under authority of this permit other than fur animals caught in season or species set out in Section 4 of the Wildlife Regulations must immediately be reported to a Conservation Officer.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722