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Dog dies after being caught in trap

Dog owners are advised to exercise caution when taking their animals into wilderness areas after a dog was killed in a trap near Duck Lake, northeast of Dettah.

A woman was skiing with her dog on Jan. 19 near the lake and along the Dettah road when it was caught in a trap and died, Joslyn Oosenbrug, spokesperson with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) told Yellowknifer on Jan. 22.

A dog died on Jan. 19 after it was caught in a trap near Duck Lake. Google maps image

“The dog was not on a leash and ventured off the trail, where it was caught in a Conibear trap. The trap has since been removed,” Oosenbrug said.

The dog owner confirmed the incident to Yellowknifer but she did not want to be identified.

“He was the best adventure partner I could dream of and the last images of him are completely crushing to me,” she said.

ENR encourages dog owners to keep their animals on a leash when out on the land, and trappers to mark their lines with flagging tape to caution other people, though that isn't a legal requirement. Trappers can contact the ENR office if they need flagging tape.

Though the dog fatality incident took place outside city limits where trapping is legal, ENR nonetheless reminds the public that trapping within Yellowknife city limits is prohibited and people should contact ENR if there are any concerns about trapping.