City of Kalamunda residents angry after dog caught in unpublicised fox trap

RESIDENTS are furious it was not publicised fox traps had been set at popular reserves in the City of Kalamunda.

It follows reports a dog was injured after becoming caught in a fox trap at Brine Moran Reserve in Kalamunda.

The City started setting traps this week in Brine Moran Reserve, Maida Vale Reserve, Ledger Road Reserve, Hartfield Park and Ray Owen Reserve.

Lesmurdie dog owner Heather Read said she was horrified residents had not been told.

“On Tuesday, a dog being walked along tracks in Brine Moran Reserve stepped onto a fox trap which was on the path, according to the dog owner,” she said.

“The dog was apparently in agony, terrified and yelping and broke several teeth trying to remove the trap.

“The owner had to take the dog to the vet to have the trap removed which would have been extremely distressing for the dog and owner. “

City chief executive Rhonda Hardy said they were investigating claims a dog was injured.

“The fox traps are not installed on walking paths and signage was installed on the site,” she said.

“They (traps) can be installed in locations where there are signs of fox activity which may look like animal tracks.

“Residents are urged to adhere to all signage in place.”

Ms Hardy said the fox control program would be carried out until July by setting padded soft claw traps in key locations within each of the five nominated reserves.

“This is undertaken by a licensed operator under a permit from Department Primary Industries and Regional Development,” she said.

“Advisory signage including the operator’s contact number is provided on site in keeping with the Department’s regulations,” she said.

“It is important for people to keep dogs on leads in the vicinity of the traps and that cats are contained.”

Ms Read said she was “dumbfounded” traps had been set in designated off-leash dog exercise areas.

“We deserve to be able to enjoy these reserves without fear of being harmed by traps or poisons,” she said.

“The fact the City has allowed traps to be set in off-leash dog exercise areas absolutely dumbfounds me.”

Ms Read said a City employee told her the trap locations were not publicised in case people removed them.

“What if it were a child who ran excitedly into the bush that stepped on one of these, or an elderly person or anyone for that matter,” she said.

“One of my biggest concerns is that the City has deliberately not advertised this practice.

“Ratepayers and residents of Kalamunda deserve more respect and open communication regarding such practices happening over our fences and in our parks and reserves that we are encouraged to enjoy.”

But Ms Hardy said the control of foxes and feral cats was important to protect local biodiversity and domestic animals.

“Foxes are highly mobile and can travel up to 10km per night,” she said.

“The City has received a number of complaints regarding chicken and rabbit predation by feral foxes in the district.

“Predation on native fauna such as bandicoots, possums and other species has caused a decline in these species across metropolitan Perth.”