I hate typing those words. I hate knowing that sometimes it’s true.
Yesterday as I started down the one-and-a-half lane road to the sanctuary where I volunteer, I saw a small fox limping on the side of the road. I stopped my car and the fox crossed behind me. As he limped closer to my car I could see that his right front leg was a bleeding stump. It looked very much like photos I’ve seen of animals who’ve chewed off their limbs to escape leg-hold traps.
These are leg-hold traps
I called to the fox who was still limping toward my car parked on the far end of a small one-lane bridge over a gully. I thought, naively, that the fox would limp to my car and I’d open the door and he’d sit in the back while I drove him to the sanctuary so that he could be properly sedated and transported to a local wildlife rescue center. These were fleeting, desperate thoughts because I had no idea how on earth I could save this poor, suffering fox from a painful and brutal death.
When the fox was nearly to my car, he started to limp down the side of the bridge into the gully. I called to him to come back, but he disappeared under a log. I don’t think he’s going to live very long and he’ll suffer until he dies. All because some brilliant humans think that leg-hold traps are a fine way to rid their property of “nuisance” animals.
I didn’t cry, which is amazing, because I didn’t want to worry anyone at the sanctuary. I mentioned it to Terry and Dave and they sympathized but told me that without proper training and equipment it would be impossible for me to rescue that fox. They also told me that leg-hold traps and snares are legal in Maryland. I believe they’re also legal here in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
I’ll never forget seeing that little fox, and that horrible bleeding leg, knowing that his fox life was cut short and there was nothing I could do.
s.
Filed under: animal rights, wildlife conservation Tagged: | leg hold traps, snares
Ugh, God, I don’t think I’d be able to stop crying for WEEKS.
These leg-hold traps are just as disgusting as glue traps for mice. There are far more humane ways of ridding your property of nuisance animals.
How can people be so cruel? They know the pain and cruelty they cause and yet they still do it.
What a horrible thing not only for you to experience but even worse for the poor fox. I honestly don’t understand why these traps are not banned.
This story truly broke my heart. I HATE that feeling of helplessness which usually overcomes me when I see animals in need of help but I cannot help them. Whenever I question how can people be so cruel? How can people be so ignorant? The answer that usually comes to my mind is that not everyone values the same thing. Not everyone values nature and animal life because they see these two entities as lesser beings, which in truth really pisses me off because the animals were here first. The only thing that people who do care can do is try to educate those who are willing to be educated about the essential need for conservation, to try to help where help can be given and to hope that one day everyone will be on the same page in terms of valuing the land we live on and the creatures we share that land with.
I really do understand your pain.
Thanks, y’all. It helps to know that some people feel the same way about non-humans as I do.
I know I am late in responding here but I just read this story and it broke my heart. I cannot stand to hear of anyone or any animal suffer especially in such a cruel way. I wish there was some way to have been able to help the poor thing. Good for you S for trying.
The cruelty of humanity never ceases to amaze and appal me.
Wether we hurt each other or without conscience hurt animals that do us no harm, it is wrong.
When will humanity wake up and change their behavior? I wont be holding my breath in waiting. I do know that I would do all I can personally and I have also taught my children to respect all living things. For now that is the best I can do.
Take care S and thanks again for sharing.