No longer trapped by tragedy

‘Trapper’ loses a leg, but gains a future

By SANDY LONG

HONESDALE, PA — When the phone rings at Marlene Metzger’s office, the news is seldom good. As Dessin Animal Shelter’s Humane Society police officer, Metzger typically must respond to unfortunate situations. This time was no exception. When Metzger investigated, she found a male cat limping on three legs. From the fourth leg dangled a useless paw that appeared to have been caught in a constrictive device long enough to cause the death of the paw and a creeping infection farther up the cat’s leg.

An individual at the house where the cat was reportedly living denied ownership and surrendered the animal to Metzger, who immediately sought veterinary care for the hapless creature. Dr. Sheila Cashin of the Carbondale Veterinary Clinic agreed to evaluate the cat and performed the necessary surgery that day.

As a result of his injuries, believed to have been inflicted by a trapping device known as a foothold trap, the friendly feline has been named “Trapper.” Without medical intervention, Trapper would likely have continued to decline and eventually to die, as the infection advanced into his body. Due to Metzger’s intervention and Cashin’s swift medical care, Trapper is expected to recover and to adapt to his three-legged future.

“Trapper wasn’t given the veterinarian attention he needed. Nor was he neutered. But he is now,” said Metzger, who described such neglect as a form of animal cruelty. Metzger regularly deals with the consequences of un-neutered cats that produce litters of kittens that end up at area shelters, sometimes causing older cats to be euthanized in order to create room for the newcomers.

Trapper will soon be available for adoption by someone willing to provide proper care and a loving environment. Call Dessin Animal Shelter at 570/253-4037 for more information or to make a donation that will help the shelter provide care for animals in situations such as this.

Metzger is available to deliver educational programs related to animal issues like dog bite safety, humane laws, winter animal care tips and more. Call 570/647-0239 to schedule a program.

Facts about trapping

• Foothold traps are also commonly referred to as leghold traps. Nearly 90 countries have banned them.

• in the United States, eight states, including New Jersey, have banned or severely restricted the use of leghold traps.

• Pennsylvania and New York permit the use of foothold traps, body-gripping traps and cage traps. Foothold traps with teeth are prohibited.

• In Pennsylvania, traps may not be set within 150 yards of an occupied building. In New York, traps must be more than 100 feet away from a house, school, playground or church.

• In Pennsylvania, trappers must check traps within 36 hours of setting them. In New York, traps must be checked within 24 hours, except in certain Wildlife Management Units that allow for 48 hours.

Visit www.pgc.state.pa.us or www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9209.html for additional information.