The killing of Pat Murray's dog in a trapper's snare should come as no surprise ("Dead dog snares trappers in dispute," Jan. 15). It is legal to set traps, including snares, near roads and trails in most places in Alaska. The result is that dogs are routinely killed and maimed this way. The Board of Game is meeting March 2-12 in Anchorage and will be addressing possible changes in trapping regulations for Southcentral Alaska. The board has in the past repeatedly rejected proposals for mandatory setbacks from roads and trails, and proposals that trappers post signs indicating the presence of traps.
Notwithstanding the Board of Game's history, there are once again proposals, Proposals 12-13, that would address the problem of dogs being killed by snares and traps. Proposal 12 would mandate setbacks from roads near Lake Louise, and Proposal 13 would mandate setbacks from parking areas and publicly maintained trails in Game Management Units 14 and 7 -- these units include Wasilla, Palmer, Anchorage, Girdwood, Chugach State Park and the northeastern part of the Kenai Peninsula.
Trappers should act responsibly. This is especially true in densely populated areas of our state. If you agree, please let the Board of Game know you support these proposals and similar restrictions. Comments are being accepted by the board until Feb. 16.
---- Kneeland Taylor / Author of Proposal 13 / Anchorage |
