How is trapping ethical?

Sat., Dec. 21, 2013

After reading the article “Dogs vulnerable to wolf traps” in the Dec. 15 Spokesman-Review, about pets being caught in wolf traps, I had to look up the word “ethical” in a dictionary to assure myself that I actually understood its definition. I did. I then had to ask myself what Dave Overman, an Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer, meant when he said that he expects trappers to act ethically.

Indeed, what is the IDFG teaching in its required trapping courses in which “ethics are emphasized”? Choke snares slowly kill an animal by cinching a wire cable tighter and tighter around the frenzied animal’s throat all because someone wants a wolf pelt (I’ve never heard of anyone eating wolf meat) or someone merely hates this wild predator. How can willfully causing such pain to another creature ever be considered ethical?

Vince Murray

Moscow

Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

No more than 250 words
We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form: Submit your letter here
Mail: Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Email: editor@spokesman.com
Fax: (509) 459-3815
Phone: (509) 459-5430