Investigation underway after cat clamped in leghold trap

By Angie Poss
Cowichan News Leader
Jun 15 2005

A female cat is recovering at Prevost Veterinary Clinic after it was found dragging a leg-hold trap Saturday.
A man living on Cowichan Lake Road called the SPCA around noon after he noticed the adult cat in his yard.
"When he tried to get near it, it shot into the bushes," said Erika Paul of the Cowichan District SPCA.
SPCA officers tracked the black and white cat to a neighbouring yard and dismantled part of an old bus to reach the cat's hiding place. It doesn't appear the cat's leg was broken by the trap, but staff at the veterinary clinic continue to treat the animal's wounds.
There is no way to tell how long the cat was dragging the trap, likely set for small animals, said Paul.
"It's amazing theses aren't banned," said Paul. "B.C. law is so behind in that respect."
Although the trap's existence is legal, the fact that it was set in the Sahtlam area is suspicious, she said, because only wolves can be trapped at this time of year.
The trap was too small to be appropriate for that type of prey and was not set in wolf territory.
"Whoever set this was 100 per cent doing this illegally."
The cat is believed to be wild but it is possible its behaviour is due to having the trap on its leg, said Paul.
Once it recovers, the rescue society will search for a home, likely a barn, suitable for the cat.
"She deserves that much at least."