WOLVES: Traps aren't the answer
Set a powerful trap for a dog, leave it caught by the leg or neck to struggle in terror and pain for up to 72 hours, and you'll be charged with animal cruelty under Idaho Code, Title 25. Idaho law defines cruelty as "the intentional and malicious infliction of pain, physical suffering, injury or death upon an animal."
Grotesquely, this same law allows the infliction of cruelty on certain wild creatures. Therefore, Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) is proposing that Idaho wolves, cousin to our beloved German Shepherds, be subjected to the intentional and malicious infliction of pain, physical suffering, injury and death by the use of both snare and foothold traps. The proposal would allow wolf trapping between Dec. 1, 2011, through Feb. 15, 2012.
Steel foothold traps are Neanderthal barbaric. These urine-baited traps cause deep lacerations, bone breakage, joint dislocations and amputation. Snare traps, designed to strangle, are notorious for failing to kill. They can inflict massive injury and pain to an ensnared and struggling animal. Trapped wolves can legally be left to suffer for up to 72 hours.
IDFG's inhumane trapping proposal is the grand climax of years of infighting between state and federal agents over the introduction of wolves into our region in the 1990s. Under intense political pressure, our wolves were recently removed from endangered species protection, and the mighty wolf war is on.
IDFG confirms there are an estimated 1,000 wolves living within Idaho's 83,574 square miles. During the 2009-2010 season, nearly one third of Idaho's 100,000 hunters bought wolf tags. Hunters and illegal shooters killed 188 wolves during that time period. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services also intermittently deploys aerial gunners in helicopters to shoot Idaho wolves.
Thousands of shooters will be out in force again this wolf-hunting season for the thrill of kill. It won't take long for this great army of exterminators to whittle Idaho's wild puppies down to the IDFG's goal of reducing wolf populations to a mere 150 surviving animals statewide.
On July 27-28, seven IDFG commissioners meeting in Salmon will predictably vote to expand the upcoming wolf hunting season to begin Aug. 30. They may also vote to allow the use of any kind of weapon. The commission will also decide whether on not to unleash the cruelty of wolf trapping.
The IDFG has given the public a brief opportunity to comment on the new proposals for season extension and trapping. Cool heads must prevail in our current era of tribal frenzy for wolf blood. If you have an aversion to unnecessary animal suffering, please take a few minutes to contact the commission and oppose the barbarism of wolf trapping. Go to the Idaho Fish and Game website (www.fishandgame.idaho.gov) and complete the simple survey you find there. Or mail comments to IDFG, Box 25, Boise 83707. The comment period closes July 27.
The very least we can do is forbid this state to shame and degrade us all with trap-torture of the beautiful, intelligent grey wolf.
MARY ANDERSON
ANGELA CLARK
BOB HAGEN
Coeur d'Alene