Harper: A Small Dog with a Big Purpose
New Beginnings
Harper, a tenacious black and white Jack Russell Terrier was born June 6, 2003. His story begins with me on May 20th 2004, the day Harper came to live with me, my husband Ben, our Labrador Hero and our cat Jules. We adopted Harper from the Jack Russell Rescue of Ontario: A great organization dedicated to finding homes for these sometimes difficult to live with, dogs. Jack Rusells are not the dog for everyone so many find themselves homeless when their first families do not know how to deal with their extreme spunk and strong will. Harper was on the right path; he was destined to live with us.
Although Harper came to us quite rough around the edges, with lots of love, training and patience he blossomed into a wonderful little gentleman. Everywhere we went we always received compliments on what a good boy he was. Often compliments were phrased "he's so good…for a Jack Russell." Sometimes I didn't know if that meant he was a good dog or just good as far as Jack Russells go! But we always took it as a compliment anyway.
A Wonderful Companion
We loved Harper's company; he kept things quite interesting for all of us. He has a large repertoire of tricks, the best one being "Bang! You're dead!" That one always got lots of laughs! Harper even reached stardom when he was chosen to be the spokes dog for Purina Dog Chow Small Bites dog food. You can still see him on the bag today.
A Day Never to be Forgotten
December 13, 2006 was the day everything changed. Hero, Harper and I were walking with my aunt Karen and her two dogs Lola, a bulldog and Tyco, a Boston/French Bulldog cross at our favorite off-leash dog walk area. It was a very mild day for December and the dogs were having a great time running and playing.
Suddenly we heard a sound like a bird screeching. I looked to see where the dogs were. I saw Harper through some tall grass, just off the path near a fence. From the sound that was coming from that area I though he might have caught a bird. I went closer and I saw it was Harper himself making the noise. It looked like he was caught in the fence.
Karen and I rushed to him. I felt heavy metal extremely tight around his neck. I was thinking how could he have gotten his head caught in such a tight hole? I told Karen to run and find someone with wire cutters because I could not figure out how to get him out.
Harper continued to scream and struggle as I tried to get him out of whatever he was caught in. I finally realized he was caught in some sort of trap and it was clamped around his neck, cutting off air. By now Harper was no longer screaming, he was simply gasping for air. I comforted him as I tried to get the trap off his neck. I found the hinges and desperately tried to pull them apart. But I couldn't do it. The trap was too strong, and Harper had stopped breathing.
A Horrible Truth
Harper died in my arms after being strangled by what I now know as a Conibear trap. A trap used to capture and kill small animals like skunk and raccoons.
The trap was tied to a hole in a fence boarding a popular dog walking area. The trap has been set by an employee of the factory beyond the fence. The company had been having skunk problems so the employee, a licensed trapper, took it upon himself to set some traps to kill the skunk.
Although extremely dangerous and inhumane Conibear traps are legal and can be set by a licensed trapper anywhere: parks, ditches, golf courses etc. Your neighbor could have one set in his bush line to keep squirrels out of his garden.
This was not the first time a dog has been killed in a conibear trap. After Harper's death we researched these traps and found lists of dogs and cats killed as well as children and people seriously injured in these horrible traps.
No Comfort in Aftermath
After an investigation by both the police and the Ministry of Natural Resources (here after known as the MNR) no charges were laid. The trapper told the MNR that he set the trap on the factory's property and that Harper had gone through the fence, on to private property and got caught. The trapper lied. The trap was attached to the fence bordering the conservation/dog-walking area: An area when people, children and dogs walk and play everyday. The MNR took the trapper's testimony but never my own or Karen's, the people who were actually there and saw the whole thing.
The trapper, who's poor judgment and lack of common sense took the life of a wonderful being, could not be criminally charged. Because dogs are seen as property and not sentient beings filing a lawsuit would go to small claims court and would not be worth the hassle and heartache that the trial would cause.
Something must be Done
When we learned no charges were laid and that the MNR is an organization out to protect trappers and not people or animals something had to be done so this never happened again.
It was clear we needed to contact Guelph city council and ask that a ban be placed on setting these traps in city limits. This would be the only way to insure that this horrible tragedy never occurs again.
The Anti-Trapping Team
After Harper's death a team of extremely dedicated individuals came together to petition Guelph city council as well as the councils of surrounding areas to have killing traps banned.
Karen Levenson, a writer and member of Animal Alliance was the first to lead the fight. Karen set up meetings with city councils and mayors. Liz White, present of Animal Alliance Voters Party attended every meeting to give her expert opinion on the dangers of using conibear traps and to enlighten council on humane alternatives. Other people to join in were Nancy Heptinstall, a woman who's dog was also killed in a conibear trap, the Humane Society of Guelph, members of the group Fur Bearer Defenders, Karen, Ben and Myself as well as other concerned citizens of Guelph.
As I write this, a by-law is being drafted by city council to propose a ban on killing traps in Guelph. Our team is doing everything in their power to make sure the by-law will pass.
A Bitter Sweet Relationship
My family and I miss Harper terribly. Having him die in my arms was a horrific thing to experience and I am working hard to deal with the pain and heartache.
Although I wish Harper and I did not have to go through what we did, I know Harper's death was the catalyst for change in Guelph and hopefully surrounding areas. If Harper had not have been killed in a Conibear trap many people would never have known these horrible traps existed and the dangers they pose.
Harper and I were chosen for this journey because we are both strong individuals, capable to survive tragedy, rise above it and use it to help other animals in the world. Harper is a martyr for the animal kingdom and I thank him for choosing me to help him on his journey.
Carry on Harper's Message
I am proud to take Harper's message to the world. I am hopeful that we can create change and educate people on alternatives to using inhumane, unsafe traps to deal with wildlife conflict.
We need your help as well. Please check out the links below and read about conibear and other lethal killing traps. Create your own petition and contact your city council to ask that killing traps be ban in your town or city as well.
Update: December 2008
It took two years of dedication and lots of help from Animal Alliance Voters Party of Canada, Fur Bearer Defenders and concerned citizens but a vote has been passed by Guelph City Council banning trapping within city limits!
Council passed a bylaw on December 21st that will ban traps in the city of Guelph. The bylaw will be named “Harper’s bylaw” to honor Harper.
The bylaw is a compromise and has provisions for exemptions. The bylaw, which carries a maximum fine of $100,000, prohibits the use of body-gripping traps within city limits, with certain exemptions. Authorized agents of the province and city are exempt. So are farmers and licensed trappers if they are trapping on city land where agriculture is a permitted use. However, when trapping is allowed, it would be subject to conditions set out in the bylaw. These include the posting of warning signs, registration with the city, identification tags on the traps, inspection and recording requirements, and a site plan or drawing showing the location of each trap.
Although not a full ban, I am relieved that the city recognized that something must be done to keep the citizens of Guelph, both human and animal, safer. Had this bylaw been in place two years ago, Harper would still be alive today.
The most important part of this bylaw, I believe, is that it will set precedence: it is the only of its kind in Ontario. Now that one city has developed a bylaw it will make it much easier for other cities and counties to do the same.
I would like to sincerely thank Karen Levenson, of the Animal Alliance Voters Party for all that she has done. The bylaw would not have gone through without her dedication. I would also like to thank Liz White of Animal Alliance and everyone who lent their time and support.
More Tributes to Animals Killed in Traps
Daisy's Story
A wonderful cocker spaniel who suffered the same fate as Harper. Please take a minute to read her story.
Stop the Use of Inhumane Traps
Information on trapping as well as more stories of wonderful dog's killed in Conibear traps
Graces Legacy
A Website dedicated to Grace's memory as well as her owner's goal to make the world a safer place
Animal Wellfare Organizations
Animal Alliance of Canada
A wonderful organization dedicated to the protection of all animals
Fur Bearer Defenders of Canada
Protecting fur-bearing animals from torture and death in the name of fur trade and fashion
Trapping Information
Other Useful information
Instructions on how to release your dog from a conibear trap