Up front: Cowichan carbon buster arrested, fined in peaceful protest page A8 On stage: Venerable rockers Chil iwack bring their light to the valley page B11 For all the news of the Cowichan region as it happens, plus stories from around British Columbia, go to our website www.cowichannewsleader.com Your news leader since 1905
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Muni puts 6,000 homes on water restrictions Until Friday: North Cowichan south-end residents not on Duncan water affected Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
I
Dave Lavigueur shows how a rogue snare trap choked his dog, Hunter, near McClure Lake in the Cowichan Lake area last week. Hunter was unhurt.
Peter W. Rusland
Rogue snare nearly chokes Hunter the dog Lake Cowichan area: Owner saves pooch after steel loop wraps around dog’s neck Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
H
unter the dog was saved from a snare trap’s deadly choking action Wednesday by owner Dave Lavigueur. But a relieved Lavigueur says children and other pets may not be so
lucky. He expected to head out to the McClure Lake area outside Lake Cowichan with a conservation of¿cer Friday to inspect where two rogue snares were set to kill anything entering their choking loops. “This is like poaching,” Lavigueur told the News Leader Pictorial, noting professionals’ traps are clearly marked and set, not simply targeting anything that wanders into its suffocating grasp. “What would happen if a kid went through that loop?” the Duncanite asked. Hunter’s neck went through the steel-cable loop while Lavigueur walked nearby at around 10:30 a.m. May 2. “I heard him squeal and start to choke as he strug-
gled to get out,” he said of his gentle, four-month-old golden Lab snared by the trap attached to a tree some 20 feet off a log-skidder trail. “My dog was literally dying in my arms, but I managed to get two ¿ngers under the cable then cut it off with Leatherman (multi-tool) pliers — and pure adrenaline.” But not before a terri¿ed Hunter nipped Lavigueur’s hand in fright, while being rescued from the trap his master believed was set randomly. Conservation agents have the snares, while Hunter was uninjured in the close call. “He was really lucky,” Lavigueur said. Conservation of¿cers can be called in Duncan at 250-746-1236.
Need a new vehicle... But have Bad Credit?
Get the vehicle you deserve!
250-597-0424 7329 Trans Canada Hwy. Duncan
Save Time Get Pre-Approved Online www.galaxymotors.net
f it’s yellow, let it mellow . . . Extreme water restrictions, affecting toilet Àushing and more, are in effect this week for residents of North Cowichan’s south end during repairs to the system’s aging, main pump station, staff says. The tap squeeze started May 7 at 8 a.m. and runs until May 11, 4 p.m. Outdoor water use for lawns, gardens, car washing and more is banned for the Monday-to-Friday water work affecting some 6,000 homes. Restrictions basically affect homes from Mays Road to the Cowichan River. “It’s everything but the City of Duncan,” engineer John MacKay said. Of¿cials request folks reduce indoor use for bathing, dishes, laundry, toilet Àushing and more. Residents were advised to ¿ll water bottles and containers before May 7. Early completion of the repairs will be posted at northcowichan.ca. The work costing taxpayers about $100,000 ¿xes a header in the 1970sera pumping station that’s been “limping along,” MacKay said. That project is in preparation for North Cowichan’s planned $4-million ultra-violet water treatment system. Five days’ notice for the water work was given via ads in Wednesday and Friday’s News Leader Pictorial. Notice was also on North Cowichan’s website, and on its e-alert to folks registered, MacKay said of come complaints about short notice of the repairs. He noted some people forget about such alerts if notice happens too far in advance. Duncan Mayor Phil Kent did not believe North Cowichan residents on the city’s water system would be affected by the repairs. For more, call the municipal hall 250746-3100.