Dog killed in a trap | “Among the worst moments of my entire existence”

Christian Vézina’s last walk in the woods with his dog, Jazz, ended in the worst possible way when the animal was killed by a trap installed in a wood frequented by several walkers in Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs , in the Laurentians. The work of a poacher who “must answer for his actions,” he says.

Christian Vézina used to go walking in the woods, behind his house, with his dog Jazz, a two and a half year old poodle. This is what he did last Saturday, taking advantage of a beautiful spring day for another walk in nature, where he occasionally came across neighbors walking their dogs. Families with children also live nearby.

The land in question belongs to a religious community, explains Mr. Vézina in an interview with The Press. There we find Camp Olier, a summer camp for young people aged 8 to 16 founded in 1954. The owners accepted that we walk there, he explains, adding that there were signs on which it says “Thank you to the owners” or “Be respectful of the place”.

Jazz was not an easy dog, he says, mentioning that poodles have a reputation for being stubborn. “We put a lot of effort into training him, and that day, seeing that he came back to me every time I called him, I said to myself: bad luck, it looks like we’re starting to to see her… “

Last Saturday, Christian Vézina was standing near Lake Côme-Lalande, where he was observing the geese, when he heard a strange noise, followed by a cry. The cry of his dog Jazz who had just gotten his head caught in a trap, probably intended for a beaver. On his Facebook page, the 65-year-old man wrote that he would not describe the scene he witnessed, it was too difficult to describe. “A noise, a cry. Atrocious. I will not describe. But I will live, from that moment on, among the worst moments of my entire existence. I don’t wish them on anyone. Person. Never. Jazz has his head in a trap. Broken neck. »

“Absolute horror”

On the phone, his voice breaking with emotion, Mr. Vézina did not want to say more, but he described the trap that killed his dog as “absolute horror”. “If it was me who had put one foot on it, it’s clear that I wouldn’t have a leg today. » The trap was set up very close to a path around the lake, less than 200 feet from the road, he specifies. “There was nothing, no sign to warn us that a trap had been set up there. »

For Christian Vézina, it is clear that the trap was set by a poacher, who was trying to capture a beaver. He said he checked with the owners, who were not informed that such a trap had been installed on their land.

In an email sent to The Press, the general director of Camp Olier, Anne Dupuis, specified that camp administrators and volunteers, who own dogs, “have always been able to take advantage of the camp’s many trails, in complete safety. We are devastated to hear that such an incident could have occurred on our land.” The field will be closed until otherwise notified, she said.

Christian Vézina filed a complaint with the police and the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, but he was given to understand that it would be difficult to catch the person responsible with so little information.

Presence of beavers

In a message published on its website on November 24, the municipality of Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs also indicated that it had received several calls concerning the presence of beavers on its territory. “In extreme cases and if cohabitation efforts are not sufficient, you must contact a trapper holding a professional trapping license who will guide you in your efforts,” it says.

However, the period for trapping in Quebec is currently over, explains Gaétan Fournier, general director of the Fédération des trappeurs gestions du Québec. “You can trap legally between October 15 and March 15. The only exception is urgent cases or major problems where we can proceed without a permit. »

In all cases, it is planned to install signs to inform the public, he mentions. “For beaver, we very often use a lethal trap and not a cage. We also recommend underwater trapping, to avoid accidents like the one you describe to me. There are also techniques to avoid this type of situation, such as not putting a lure that could attract a dog,” points out Gaétan Fournier.

If the way his dog was killed suggests that he could have been attracted by bait, Christian Vézina admits that he has no idea. He admits to being in a state of shock, in a way, since the tragic accident. “With two other people, it took us 15 minutes to get Jazz’s head out of that trap. He was already dead, obviously. »

“Beautiful big fool with all heart, great leaping joy… Thank you for saving my leg and my old age,” he concludes.