Vancouver raccoons recovering after paws caught in leg-hold traps

An animal advocacy group in Vancouveris searching for the individuals responsible for setting up leg-hold traps thatgripped the pawsof two raccoons.

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"It leaves a sickening feeling in your stomach," said Adrian Nelsonwith theAssociation for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals.

Theraccoons were found in Vancouver on Monday night by the B.C. SPCA and the Wildlife Rescue Association. One was found on West 47th Avenue and the other atBurrardnearBroadway.

"What is most disturbing, [more] than anything else, is exactly where these animals were found," said Nelson.

"How close it is to where we let our cats out at night, or where our children play," he said.

The group is putting up a $1,000 reward for any tips that lead to the conviction of the individuals who set up these traps; theycould be charged under the Wildlife Act.

Leg-hold traps are legal, but Nelson said these traps are outdated, and he believes their use in this manner is illegal. He said modern, legal traps have a bit of a gap or padding.

Female raccoon may lose toes, male lost teeth

The Critter Care Wildlife Society inLangleyis takingcare of the raccoons over the next few months.

The youngfemale raccoon managed to escape serious injury, but may still lose a few toes.

The older, male raccoon was found with bloodied paws and had to undergo surgery to sew up the wound.

"The whole foot can rot off because of the dead tissue," said Angela Fontana, senior animal care supervisor with Critter Care.

She said the male raccoonwas also missing some of his teeth because hehad chewed at the metal trap to try and take it off.

"It's quite disheartening ... definitely over the past few years I've seen a huge increase in the number of animals we get in with leg-hold traps," said Fontana.

Nelson said he understands that conflicts with wildlife can be frustrating for homeowners, but that there are better ways to co-exist with the animals.

"They're very much part of our urban landscape. Killing and removing a couple of them isn't going to resolve their issues," said Nelson.

He said there are several humane animal control outfits around the city, and the association has tips on living with wildlife on itsweb site.