Warning: Some readers may find the content of this story disturbing
A Radium, B.C., family is advocating for changes to trapping regulations after their dog, Moon, was killed in a fur trap set near a public road.
Moon, a two-year-old Siberian Husky, died after being caught in a Conibear trap on Jan. 8, just metres from Horsethief Creek Forest Service Road near Farnham Glacier in the East Kootenay region.
The incident occurred shortly after Moon exited a vehicle with his owner, Sean Boxall.
According to Boxall, the dog was drawn to the trap because it was baited with fur.
When Moon approached, he triggered the trap, which is designed to kill wildlife quickly by clamping shut with significant force.
(Photo: Sean Boxall and Nicole Trigg)
When Moon was caught, Boxall rushed to free his dog but was unable to release the mechanism and suffered injuries to his hand, requiring 10 stitches.
He then ran to his truck to retrieve a chainsaw, but it was too late, and Moon died at the scene.
“How all this happened is beyond me,” Boxall said in an interview.
“To lay traps across our nation’s Crown lands indiscriminately decimating wildlife in this cruel, inhumane way while also killing people’s beloved pets in the process, is absolutely dumbfounding.”
The trap was set within approximately five metres of the road, Boxall said.
While signage was present, he stated it was obscured by branches and not visible from the vehicle.
Wildlife trapping is permitted on Crown land in British Columbia, and traplines are sometimes established near roads and trails.
Current provincial regulations do not require trappers to post warning signs in all areas.
Exposed Wildlife Conservancy and The Fur-Bearers, two wildlife organizations, are backing Boxall and his partner in calls for changes to provincial policy, including stronger regulations around traps.
The Fur-Bearers reports that 100 pets were recorded as having been caught in wildlife traps in British Columbia between 2015 and 2023, averaging about 15 incidents per year.
The organization notes that reporting is not mandatory and believes the actual number may be higher.
Boxall said he has since heard from others across Canada who have described similar incidents involving pets caught in traps, some of which were fatal and others narrowly avoided.
“It seems like it happens a lot more than the general public is aware,” he said, adding that neither conservation officers nor trappers are legally required to record incidents involving domestic animals.
Boxall and his partner are advocating for what they refer to as “Moon’s Law,” which includes a proposed ban on commercial fur trapping on Crown land or, failing that, stricter regulations such as mandatory setbacks from roads and trails, clearer signage, and the use of traps that can be released by members of the public in emergencies.
(Photo: Sean Boxall and Nicole Trigg)
The couple is urging the provincial government, including the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, to review existing policies in light of increasing recreational and work-related use of backcountry areas.
“Unless you’ve had a loved one tortured and killed in front of you on public land, that you thought was safe, its hard to fathom,” Boxall said.
“There has to be some change.”
The province has not publicly commented on the incident.
Comments