Mounties have issued a public warning after a dog was caught in an animal trap near the popular Grouse Grind hiking trail Thursday morning.
A dog-walker was out with the Labradoodle on the Baden Powell trail when the dog left the path and got snared in the trap, described as a series of five barbed hooks connected with wire and baited with beef kidneys.
When the woman found the dog, the animal had several hooks penetrating his mouth.
She was able to get him out with help from some passing hikers and took the dog to a veterinarian for treatment. The animal did not suffer any serious injuries.
Mounties have yet to determine who set the trap, or what kind of animal it was designed for.
“We’re trying to determine whether it was meant for domestic animals or wildlife, but either way it’s against the Criminal Code to endanger an animal,” said Cpl. Richard De Jong.
The meat in the trap tested negative for any poison.
Officers conducted a thorough search of the area but did not find any similar traps, De Jong said, but the public is still urged to be extra vigilant when walking dogs nearby.
Anyone who sees anything suspicious near the trail is asked to call the North Vancouver RCMP detachment at 604-985-1311.
