Pet owners don’t have to be snared

Trapping is more than a romanticized vision of Alaska’s rugged past; it continues to be an important and valuable industry in a state that’s proud of its Last Frontier heritage.

That’s why stories like Jennifer Simmermeyer’s are so important. Two days after adopting Remi, a female husky too small to be a sled dog, Remi pulled her leash out of Simmermeyer’s hand while on a walk near Buffalo Mine Road and disappeared. For two months, Simmermeyer and friends searched for Remi, finding signs she was still alive and in the area. Then, the day before Thanksgiving, Remi was found with a trapper’s snare around her neck. We’re pleased Remi is fine and back enjoying her new home.

Remi’s experience is one that is generating more debate in the Mat-Su Valley and statewide about trapping near populated areas. The Alaska Wildlife Troopers have received five reports of pets being caught in traps since April 2007. Hardly an epidemic, but a wake-up call that good public policy begins before a problem presents itself.

As the Mat-Su Valley continues to outpace the rest of Alaska in population growth, it’s time to consider trapping regulations for populated areas. We are not fans of local authorities being too restrictive, but when a growing population continues to encroach on areas traditionally staked out by trappers, we’ll continue to hear more stories like Remi’s, and many without such happy endings.

Next month, the state Division of Wildlife Conservation will make a decision on a proposal to prohibit trapping within 100 feet of a trail in Chugach State Park. We hope a more sensible and fair solution will be attempted before taking this action.

Randy Zamke, president of the Alaska Trappers Association, said his organization supports putting up signs in areas now used by the public for recreation purposes that also could be used by trappers. A general warning that the area may contain animal traps and urging pet owners to keep their animals restrained and under control seems a reasonable first step.

Let’s be blunt: while the state’s trapping industry and trappers could be drawn with black ink as the bad guys preying on innocent pets and their owners, the bottom line is they’re operating within the law and, for the most part, ethically. Pet owners who cannot control their dogs or other animals from leaving their property or keep the animals on a leash in public recreation areas do themselves and their pets no favors. In these cases, pet owners should be responsible and either reconsider pet ownership or leave the dog at home when enjoying the trails.

Another alternative is for the Borough to follow the example set by many urban areas, where a plot of open space is designated as a dog-run area. There, owners are encouraged to bring their pets, play with them, run them and even let them off their leashes.

Alaska’s a big, beautiful state with plenty of room for a growing population and tradition.