Belfast, P.E.I., woman takes matters into own hands over death of dog

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A Belfast lady has been putting indicators on public trails warning folks of potential traps within the space.

Petra Corlett mentioned she determined to put up the indicators after a canine was killed simply off the path system in Wright’s Creek, positioned in Charlottetown’s East Royalty neighbourhood, on Nov. 2.

“That is simply the appropriate factor to do,’’ Corlett instructed SaltWire Community in a phone interview on Nov. 23. “You don’t must be a rocket scientist to know what the appropriate factor to do is.’’

Corlett is an enormous lover of cats, canines and absolutely anything on 4 legs. She has additionally rescued animals around the globe.

Corlett contacted a Charlottetown lady on social media after her canine stumbled on one thing underneath the leaves about 20 toes off the Wright’s Creek path. It was an animal entice, and when it snapped it killed the canine immediately.

Conservation officers with the provincial authorities launched an investigation, saying the entice was set illegally.

Vicki Tse, senior communications officer with the Division of Justice and Public Security, mentioned Nov. 23 as a result of the investigation is ongoing there isn’t any additional remark presently.

Corlett mentioned she is indignant that extra isn’t being accomplished to warn folks of coming throughout doable traps.

“Persons are terrified their animal goes to wander away and get caught in a entice,’’ Corlett mentioned.

John Jamieson, president of the Island Trails group, which manages about 50 trails in P.E.I., mentioned the group determined at current board assembly to not put up warning indicators about potential traps.

“What we do is encourage folks to maintain their canine on a leash,’’ Jamieson mentioned. “There’s every kind of various dangers, not solely to the animal. We now have path customers who’re afraid of canines, who don’t know if a canine is aggressive or not. While you hold your canine on a leash then the danger of one thing taking place (decreases).’’

Jamieson added it’s extremely unlikely the entice that killed the Charlottetown canine was set by a licensed furbearing animal trapper.

“I believe the licensed trapping neighborhood in Prince Edward Island are accountable folks,’’ he mentioned. “It’s a authorized exercise that individuals earn a dwelling on. Unlawful issues occur. It’s actually unlucky.’’

With regards to strolling canines within the province, whereas the Metropolis of Charlottetown requires canines to be leashed always in public, the province’s legal guidelines solely stipulate canines aren’t permitted to run at massive.

“While you go on a public path, you’ve gotten the appropriate to be there, the appropriate to really feel protected.”

– Petra Corlett

“The regulation is that you need to have care and management of your canine,’’ Corlett mentioned. “That doesn’t essentially imply it’s important to have it on a leash.’’

Corlett mentioned she makes use of electrical shock collars when strolling her canines. She mentioned the collars don’t trigger the animal ache however do divert the canine’s consideration in that second.

“I take advantage of the electrical collar to deliver them again (to me). Individuals ought to be capable to let their canines off the path for a bit of bit.’’

Corlett mentioned she intends on staying on prime of this situation, explaining {that a} little one may have stepped within the entice in Charlottetown.

“While you go on a public path, you’ve gotten the appropriate to be there, the appropriate to really feel protected,’’ she mentioned. “You’re taking your children and your pets on trails which might be properly maintained, and it provides you a way of safety.’’

Have to know

Following is details about canine legal guidelines in P.E.I.:

• The Metropolis of Charlottetown’s canine management bylaw states that canines have to be leashed when in a public place or on non-public property aside from that of the canine proprietor, except the canine proprietor has permission of the property proprietor or occupant.

• The P.E.I. Canine Act states that canines aren’t permitted to run at massive however doesn’t stipulate the animal have to be leashed.

Dave Stewart is a reporter with SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. He might be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @DveStewart