Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Reopening the case on steel traps

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, May 4, 2000 | 10:23 a.m.

Ruthe Deskin is assistant to the publisher. Her column appears Thursdays. Reach her at deskin@lasvegassun.com.

Sunshine is a beautiful golden retriever who loves running along with her owner as she rides her mountain bike in nearby hills. The dog's joy was horribly curtailed during a recent outing when she was caught in the cold, unyielding jaws of a steel trap.

Sunshine's owner, Stephanie Myers, reported that "it was six excruciating hours before my neighbors and I found Sunshine, whose paw was caught in this horrible contraption."

As a child growing up in Northern Nevada, I recall one summer when we heard a pitiful cry near our vacation cabin. My dad and I followed the plaintive sounds and located a coyote that was caught in a steel trap. The animal had gnawed its leg to shreds in a vain attempt to escape, but to no avail. I wanted to do something to comfort the coyote, but my dad sent me back to the cabin. I heard a shot and the sad wailing ceased.

Sunshine was luckier than the coyote. Her worst injury was to her mouth and teeth where she had repeatedly bitten into the trap in a thwarted attempt to free herself. When the neighbors and her owner found Sunshine they were able to free her, but the dog required expensive and extensive surgery. Myers warns outdoor lovers that wild animal traps have been found in the popular Macks Canyon area of Lee Canyon.

In a letter to the Sun, Myers explains there are almost no regulations in Nevada restricting the steel traps: "Anyone with $31 can buy a license to trap in season. The law required the traps be set at least 200 feet from any public road or highway. Macks Canyon Road is not even considered a road."

In the case of Sunshine, Myers said the Nevada Division of Wildlife game wardens responded promptly and politely, but there are so few laws limiting the trapping of wildlife that there was little they could do.

"Isn't it amazing that I could have been arrested for removing the trap, but it is completely legal to set and scent the trap and leave it there?"

Sen. Harry Reid and Sen. Richard Bryan have indicated support for a bill reintroduced by Sen. Robert Torricelli, D-N.J., that would prohibit the use of conventional steel-jawed leg-hold traps on animals. The bill is awaiting action by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Supporters of the bill, S.1006, should write to their representatives in Washington. On the state level action must come through the Legislature.

While animal protection agencies in the past have attempted to spearhead action on the steel trap problem, it is not just a menace to animals. This is a very real danger to hikers, campers, runners and others seeking recreational opportunities in mountain areas.

Las Vegas has been designated a great place for kids to vacation. In a recent issue of Via magazine, a young Las Vegas visitor noted:

"There are tons of places kids can go and have fun in Las Vegas, but parents should remember that the city is primarily an adult playground. The taxis have TV in them and they have advertisements for adult shows. Fortunately, some drivers are nice enough to put their coats over the screens."

Chalk one up for sensitive cabdrivers.