Cherry Valley Traps Found

[Happy Gilmore]

Last week there was a group of folks dog training at Cherry Valley. A dog got caught in an illegal leg clamp trap. Took Duvall Fire Dept. to show up to free the dog. Fish and Wildlife got the trap. We're trying to organize a group to go search for more to make sure no more dogs are caught. Anyone have any tips on the best way to spot locations for the traps? Would a metal detector work?

F&W is launching an investigation and it sounds like they have some solid leads and will be pursuing the guys responsible. There are also vet bills for the injured dog.

[Humptulips]

Best thing for you to do is let the WDFW do their work and not mess up a crime scene.
On another note must be a bunch of morons up there if you can't open a foot trap.
Also it is highly unlikely a dog would be injured in a foot trap of a size anyone that knows anything about trapping would use.
Probably a nearby landowner or a kid and it is likely they only had a trap or two to set.

[ICEMAN]

I could see an injury if the dog was running thru at speed and got caught, or just from the constant pulling that may have occurred. Sorry to hear of it. I also am shocked they could not figure out how to open a leg hold.

[Happy Gilmore]

I've actually talked to our biologist in charge of the area about it. I'm on the citizens advisory planning board for the snoqualmie/snohomish river drainage/cherry valley/stillwater units.

F&W did a quick look but, obviously they aren't going to check the area over very closely.

The people out training were a couple of older ladies so, I assume they probably didn't know exactly what to do with the trap. I hear it did take Duvall fire a while to get the trap opened. They say it looked modified or, homemade. It was three leg clamps welded together from how Kraig, our biologist described it to me.

The dogs leg was damaged by the trap and required emergency vet care. Sounds like it did some damage. It was said there was risk of losing the leg. The traps were described as having jaws with an opening of roughly 20" each. I've got old coyote traps from the farm and those weren't much bigger than a grapefruit so, not sure what was out there. I'm hoping to get a peek at the trap at some point. Chandler has them right now.

[boneaddict]

Sounds more like someone protecting a grow.   I'd be more concerned about other boobie traps.   20 inches is HUGE

[rasbo]

sounds like a bear trap

[Hunter Dug]

definitly set for something bigger than a dog.  20 inches is more like a human trap.   Were they on someone elses property, or was the trap located on public land.  Maybe some one seen Sasquatch and was trying to hook him up.

[quadrafire]

Happy--You gotta try to get a picture of that and post it up. Very interesting

[jackelope]

I work with a Duvall firefighter and another one is my neighbor. I will see if I can get any more details.

[Happy Gilmore]

It was in a ditch next to the birdwatching tower at Cherry Valley. There is not any private land nearby. There aren't any areas where you'd grow pot or need to keep people out either? People are out there all the time.

This is a public hunting area. Maybe someone doesn't like the hunters shooting pheasants and ducks?

I'm only relaying what I was told by Kraig who is the Biologist for the Snoqualmie/Snohomish River Drainage / F&W managed areas. (and an email forwarded from a lady who was there dog training when it happeded warning folks not to use Cherry Valley)

[Special T]

WOW just wana follow this

[bobcat]

Probably was PETA or the Humane Society, knowing how they dislike hunters and hunting dogs.   

[Happy Gilmore]

The email that was first circulating written by one of the ladies said it was a bear trap. I discounted that theory just figuring somone was trapping beaver....maybe not if Kraig's account of it being 20" is correct. He said it looked like three traps all welded together.

I'm just wondering, if they're setting for beaver, wouldn't the traps likely be under a couple inches of water and difficult to see?

[jackelope]

Paul-check your email.

[Happy Gilmore]

Paul-check your email.

didn't see anything.. try this..

pwinfieldgilmore@yahoo.com