A trapper's response

I read Marion Foley's guest opinion. My husband and two of my sons have taken the trapping education course and received their certificates. They do not trap, yet.

According to my understanding, Ms. Foley apparently went through a locked gate, which I am told would be illegal. Was she trespassing?

Her dogs got caught in the trap, meaning her dogs were running loose. That too would be a violation. See Section 4 of Flathead County dog ordinance. Yes! There is a dog ordinance for Flathead County.

She released her dogs, meaning she touched someone's traps. Then she went back and removed the traps. These could both be considered illegal actions.

A copy of the Flathead County dog ordinance can be obtained by contacting Flathead County Animal Control at 752-1310 or going to 225 Cemetery Road, in Kalispell.

Trapping is legal. Letting your dog run loose anywhere in Flathead County is not. Ms. Foley and others like her should compensate the trap owners.

With their scent and their dogs' scent in the immediate area, they have rendered the traps nonproductive, an expense for the trapper. Perhaps trappers should get together and get an initiative going.

Jayne Shiell

Somers