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-- court case (dog killed) (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthread.php?threadid=86363)

Merlin I know the law, just didn't know where the trap was set. ANYBODY who has to set a trap under a fence is not a trapper in my book.....

anybody who sets a snare or conibear in every single game trail around a timber is not a trapper either!!

it may be legal but that doesnt make it right

A trapper can set a trap anywhere he wants, I don't know anyone who goes and sets a trap to catch dogs. Under fences is an excellent place to catch canines, fox, coyote, coon, etc. I have caught many of them under and next to fences, because canines like to travel them. and I agree that if he wasn't breaking the law that there is nothing that can be done, he had permission, and the trap was set legally, end of story. Not all conibears should be taken off land, in the lower 48, I think 220 and up should be set in water, and 160 and below can be set on dry land. I have had dogs caught in 160's and they never got hurt, but a 220 is more likely to kill them. unless there is a way to safely set 220's on land, but I don't know how to do it yet, and it is illegal in wisconsin to set 220's on land. but it sounds like trappers and coon hunters need to get together and straighten things out in that state. Don't get me wrong, I am sorry about your loss, and it is terrible for something like this to happen, but there is nothing you can do. I am for you, but I am for trappers as well. You have to see the other side of it.

Marty; im sorry for your loss, BUT we as coon hunters are a small group as far as the DNR thinks. In my opinion, if we try and outlaw 220s, and we make the trappers mad, you dont think they will try and outlaw running of coon in the summer. They can also press to make us have permission evrywhere our dogs may go. I know the DNR is getting alot of reports about coyote hounds and some coondogs, and there was talk last year of changing the law to make you responsible for your dog. By this you could get trespassing charges if your dog gets off the ground you have permission on. The state and national trappers association is huge. Our coonhunting association in iowa is puny, at best, in the DNRs eyes. I feel if we rock the boat, we will pay dearly in the long run. I would try and stay out of places you feel may have traps, the month of november. We can hunt 11 months out of the year,without much worry of traps. Whats 1 month, and in most cases only 2 weeks? Any time we turn a dog loose, there is the chance it will get killed. If we cant accept that chance, we best stay home.
Good luck, and i hope you find a replacement.

Merlin

here they already have it so that you get a fine for your dog tresspassing, and you tresspassing, so you get two fines, I just asked a warden two weeks ago and this is what he told me. This is a law that is tough not to break on accident.

you cannot get a fine for a dog trespassing.