Re Fugitive Fox Finished Off,” (Yukon News, June 18):
The trapping and killing of a fox by Yukon conservation officers is yet another example of having an expendable attitude toward life.
Here is why: traps, whether they be snares, leg traps (as mentioned in this article) or body-crushing Conibear traps are by their very nature inherently cruel and inhumane. Period.
Traps pose the same sad fate to so-called “non-target” animals, as traps do not distinguish a specific animal. Any foxes, coyotes, wolves, dogs and yes even a child, can fall victim to leg traps.
An example of a non-target animal caught in a trap;Â has been;Â indicated in an official occurrence report from the Department of Environment, recorded on Jan. 11, 2004, whereas a dog was caught in a snare that was intended to strangle any wolf to death.
The snare was placed by Yukon conservation officers. The department has never relayed this information to the public, nor have they answered to letters to the editor in the Star;Â from me on this issue.
Perhaps conservation officer Ken Knutson can shed some light on my concern for the lives of others, and perhaps he can disclose other examples of non-target animals that have fallen victim to traps conservation officers or trappers have set.
The code of conduct for conservation officers should include being open and honest to the public. Is setting traps that pose a threat to non-target animals not a tad unethical?
Knowing what we do about trapping, does it not show an expendable attitude toward life to continue using, promoting and condoning the use of these dark-age tactics to destroy the lives of animals? What century are we in?
Want respect? Then please show respect for all life instead of viewing non-humans as “resources” or “it” to be exploited for human desires. They are sentient beings; living, breathing, feeling creatures that deserve respect and compassion.
How could a conservation officer in good conscience set a trap unmonitored, with everything we know about evil and inhumane traps? “Equipment failure”? Or human failure? So who ultimately killed this poor fox? The vet or a CO? And, what method was used to end his or her life?
When I see wildlife at any time or anywhere, a CO is the last person I would think of calling, as I don’t have faith or trust in them.
Killing wildlife in the Wilderness-less City continues.
Mike Grieco
Whitehorse