Traps injure animals on ISU campus

Over the past few months, several animals have been injured by traps placed along the pathways of trails on the Idaho State University campus.

So far, a dog, cat and coyote have all been victim to these varmint leg traps, though none have suffered serious injury.

Pocatello Animal Services now posses all three of the traps that have been causing these issues, but they’re still not sure who is laying the traps down, or why.

According to Animal Services Director Danielle Garcia, the legality of the traps is still under investigation.

The investigation is being organized by Animal Control since the incident would be considered animal cruelty, that is if the traps were set illegally. So what’s holding up the investigation? Currently, an issue of city versus state.

“Even though it’s within city limits, ISU is considered state property,” Garcia said. “So, because of that, we are still investigating to see if the state allowed the traps to be set there, then we don’t have jurisdiction on that.”

Now animal services are working with ISU and Fish and Game to find out who put the traps down, and if they had the right do so.

“There are serial numbers on these traps, if you are licensed to use these traps, that serial number should be registered with Fish and Game,” Garcia explained. “As of yet, we have not heard whether these were tracked to a person with a license yet.”

Although the traps may have been set legally, Garcia is still shaken by the thought of these accidents.

“It definitely puts a chill down my spine,” she said. “If you could imagine, just walking along and then all of a sudden this snaps onto your ankle. Yeah, it’s horrific.”

According to Garcia, if the traps were set legally there is a good chance they will be returned to their rightful owner.

Idaho Fish and Game did not immediately respond to call for comment Monday.