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MERRITT HERALD FREE
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
Residents stunned after shopping mainstay closes in Logan Lake By Craig Lindsay THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
Dog enthusiast Judanna Dawn-Caros says she wants to trigger a ban on traps such as this one in Merritt before ousting them throughout B.C. Phillip Woolgar/Herald
Animal rescuer looks to expel traps Trappers say the hunting technique has become humane after early days By Phillip Woolgar THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
Animal traps throughout the region kill several pet dogs each year when their trapped legs lead to slow and painful deaths, says a woman who helps rescue the pooches. Now, Angel’s Animal Rescue Society’s Judanna Dawn-Caros is taking a stand and hopes others will join her in a petition to end trapping in the area. “These animals suffer so much before they actually die,” she said. “Trapping is such a cruel method of hunting.” As the rescue co-ordinator for the rescue society, Dawn-Caros
said the amount of suffering she has seen is “barbaric.” Last April, residents near a trap heard the cries of a dog that was stuck near Petit Creek before they called Dawn-Caros. She said at the time that the pooch’s leg was likely in the trap for two days before finally being released. The dog, a two-year-old golden shepherd cross named Marley, was malnourished and dehydrated when found. But other dogs aren’t so lucky — some have even chewed off their own legs to free themselves, Dawn-Caros added. Several trappers who are active in the area capture wild animals for their fur, and dogs are
caught in the crossfire, she said. But Kim Robinson, who is perhaps the most active trapper in Merritt, said his traps are rubber jawed and won’t break a dog’s leg. The trap that the pooch was caught in last April wasn’t set up by him, he added. “I know the kid who set that trap, and he should have had his ass kicked because it was on my trapline and he had no business trapping there,” he said, adding that his traps wouldn’t break a dog’s bones. “If you want to come and watch me, I’ll set it and I’ll put my hand in it, and let it fire on my hand. “Not only are my traps rubber jawed, but that dog has no busi-
ness being out there chasing deer either.” He said in his 30 years of trapping, only one dog has been victimized by one of his traps. “I thought we had laws for dogs running free,” he said. “Why doesn’t she worry about keeping dogs where they belong and we won’t have any problems with the traps.” He said that if dogs are kept under control, trappers can get on with maintaining the ecosystem — the number of black bears and coyotes has increased substantially, and trapping is needed.
See ‘Traps needed’ Page 5
Sources from Logan Lake say the town’s popular store, The Bargain Shop, will be closing down soon, leaving a gaping hole in the town’s shopping district. Logan Lake resident Barrie Ogden said she was shocked when she heard the news. “Last Thursday, I was at art class at the high school when I heard people talking about it,” she told the Herald. “As soon as the class was over I was down at the store and crying and encouraging the people (staff) there.” Ogden said she was told the staff were notified Monday or Tuesday. Calls to The Bargain Shop head office from the Merritt Herald were not returned. However, staff at the store confirmed the closure. “They weren’t told when the store was exactly closing but some time in the next three weeks,” she said. “I said, ‘Boy, there’s going to be some sales,’ but they said, ‘No, we heard there
were liquidators going to come in and take everything out.’” The loss of The Bargain Shop will be a real blow to the town, said Ogden. “They carry such a wide variety of items, such as men’s and women’s clothing, kids’ clothing, household goods like soaps, shampoos, groceries, rugs, lamps, blankets, slippers, shoes, envelopes and much more. This is an amazing loss for the community and especially for those of us who could hop down to the store for last-minute items as well as for those who can’t drive or don’t want to drive to Merritt or Kamloops to shop. Not to have access to clothing, grocery items, cleaning products, household goods, shoes, boots, slippers, office supplies, will mean a major economic loss to Logan Lake.” Derek DeCandole, economic development officer for the District of Logan Lake, told the Herald that he has heard the rumours but has not received official confirmation from The Bargain Shop regarding the closure.
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