18°c A few clouds
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Province suspends all trapping in Grand Beach Provincial Park
Dog killed while on walk in park
Rob Shura photos Pippin, in undated photo, was killed after getting her head caught in a trap.
Related Items
(ROB SHURA PHOTO)
Manitoba has suspended all trapping in Grand Beach Provincial Park after a six-year-old Rottweiler was killed by a trap near a public hiking trail.
Jim Duncan, the director of Manitoba's wildlife branch, said the province has suspended all trapping in Grand Beach Provincial Park until the investigation into the death of Rob Shura's dog, Pippin, is complete. The Province will also conduct a broader review of all trapping in provincial parks and crown lands that have high recreation use, particularly in parks used year-round by families and pets.
The move comes the day after Shura called for a ban on trapping in provincial parks. On Nov. 22, he and his two dogs were out for their usual walk in Grand Beach Provincial when Pippin let out a yelp about nine metres from a hiking trail.
Shura, 45, said he rushed over to find Pippin's head caught in a Conibear 220 — a metal trap used to kill animals such as raccoons, badgers, foxes and beavers.
"It was just horrifying. I immediately rushed to her and I tried to pry it off with my hands. I couldn't budge it. I tried to press the springs with my hands and I couldn't," he said on Sunday. "It just took a few minutes and I was trying desperately to get her out, but I couldn't."
Duncan said the trap that killed Pippin appears to have been a legal trap, though departmental staff are still trying to find the trapper to determine if they hold a valid licence. He said Manitoba's provincial parks are places that are meant to be enjoyed by families, and the department wants to ensure the safety of people and pets.
Duncan said the trapping review will begin immediately, and provincial staff will work with the Manitoba Trappers Association to help identify options to reduce risk.
"The bottom line is it's just a tragic event and no one wants to see this happen," he said.
Shura said he was hysterical when Pippin died in his arms, and he sat and wept in the snow next to her for a long time. Eventually, Shura untied the trap that was attached to a tree with a cable and carried Pippin's lifeless body out of the woods.
Shura contacted RCMP, who in turn reported the incident to Manitoba Conservation.
He said he was stunned when a conservation officer told him trapping is permitted in many provincial parks.
"I really think that the ministry is negligent and incompetent in this situation," Shura said. "They have not protected the public. They haven't notified the public of potential danger."
Shura said he has started a Facebook page in Pippin's honour and is urging people to contact their MLA and Premier Greg Selinger to push for a ban on trapping in provincial parks.
According to Manitoba Conservation's website, trappers must obtain a licence and only set humane traps in areas where trapping is permitted. Trapping is prohibited in wildlife refuges and certain provincial parks, including Birds Hill, Beaudry and Pembina Valley provincial parks, unless an individual has a special permit.
Shura said his other dog, Mary, did not eat for days following Pippin's death, and the loss has devastated his family. Shura grew up on a farm and used to hunt, but said he has never witnessed something so gruesome.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 3, 2012 A2
History
Updated on Monday, December 3, 2012 at 5:14 PM CST: Updates earlier story with province suspending trapping in park
6:03 PM: Adds info
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
More Local
(1 of 34 articles for today)
Decades-old smoke bomb found behind Crescentwood home
7:17 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Housing a little more expensive in Manitoba: RBC
- Lake St. Martin reserve close to getting new home
- Some good news, some bad news from weatherman
- Manitoba senators weigh in on scandal
- Drug dealer sentenced to 3½ years in prison
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Quicker pickup of bulk garbage urged
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Police identify slaying victims
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Apple trick on Ellen falls short for city woman
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- 'Responsible Winnipeg' ads appear on sign run by mayor-owned Goldeyes' baseball park
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- A child-custody catastrophe
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Co-worker 'sick' today? Maybe it's the $17M flu
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- '2 minutes after I read the winning numbers, I retired': Winnipeg lotto winner
- Parents, community relieved and elated as missing boy found safe
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Man missing since 2009 found safe
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- U of M president targets low tuition
- City chiropractor guilty of beating, sexually assaulting ex-girlfriend
- Baby steps toward empathy
- Drug dealer sentenced to 3½ years in prison
- New units to help keep invasive aquatic species out of province
- New provincial restrictions on buying cigarettes
- Bethania board puts CEO on leave amid probe
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Lake St. Martin reserve close to getting new home
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Crushing blow for amateur sport
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Fishing for fashion
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Core grocer a challenge: expert
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Newly minted MD a beacon for kids in youth program
- North End proud
- Power restored to Linden Woods after goose collides with lines
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- Mental-health patients get own ER
- A child-custody catastrophe
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Steen invests $1M in family entertainment centre
- Earls on Main going, but new one coming
- Province introduces changes to rules governing landlords, renters
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Crushing blow for amateur sport
- Boost same-sex curricula: union
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.