What can I legally do with preditors in town?

[tinkatwerp]

So I just started keeping quail. Last night was their first night in their new coop, and this morning I found one dead(head pulled through the wire and bitten off) which sucks because now only have 2 birds. I am planning on predator proofing more, but I am also thinking about acquiring a live trap. Being in town, what can I legally do with things I catch? I'm not overly concerned with critters like raccoons, but I am worried about things like peoples cats. I know you won't know my cities ordinances, so I would like suggestions for where to look. I live in Wyoming if that has any relevance.

 

[enola]

I would suggest SSS (shoot, shovel, shut up). If people really and truly care about their pets, they would keep them home.

That being said..... you could try contacting animal control to see what your options are.

I tried that.......the dog warden actually went around the neighborhood and informed every one about pets and the laws about allowing them to run amock on other people's property. One neighbor is pretty smart, they actually keep their dogs home. But, I am getting rid of neighborhood cats one by one.......

I have a live trap set in the hen house right now. I found empty egg shells in the floor this morning.........

I own 3 dogs, they are never off my property unless on a leash for their daily walks. My cat is an indoor cat who occassionally walks with me to the chicken house and comes back with me. She knows she will get a treat for coming back to the house.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I have a hav-a-hart live trap, a dog proof leg trap and a big rat trap but I just acquired a weasel problem so now I'm on my way to get a couple #0 or #1 leg traps since the others don't work on weasels.

The first time I trapped a raccoon, my wife suggested calling animal control. They only do dogs and cats. They told me to call the department of conservation. They told me to fill a large trash can with water and drown the coon.

 

[enola]

I got the same advice from animal control about the cats I am trapping. We have a dog shelter in our county, but no funding for taking in cats......

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes the laws are going to be different for every jurisdiction. I think it is wise to determine what the legal requirements and possible risks are instead of just doing what you think is “right”. Then you can make a decision based on knowledge, not emotion.

I don’t know what your jurisdiction is, but who would you call about an animal complaint? Animal control is a good idea if you have one, but maybe the local police or sheriff’s office would work. It’s possible they will even have a trap you can borrow and will dispose of the animal for you once you get it, but around here they will unofficially tell you to take care of the problem and keep quiet about it. Of course I’m rural, not urban or suburban.

In many jurisdictions you can protect yourself, your family, and your property but it may be a real good idea to take photos and document the damage. Technically here I can shoot any animal that is attacking my chickens but I can’t just shoot a dog that wanders on my property. Photos of dead chickens or other damage is a good way to document that and cover your behind, if that is the law where you are.

Whether it is legal or not, you may decide on the SSS approach. The Shoot part of that doesn’t have to be shoot but could easily be a live trap or some other method, then a quite demise. I do not advocate relocating any real predatory animal, which is probably illegal anyway.

One risk in the shovel and shut up parts is that they require secrecy. You can’t really tell anyone what you are doing or it’s not a secret any more. A nosy neighbor can ruin it for you really easily. It’s a lot more common with dogs than any other animal, but some hunters put location devices on their hunting dogs. That way they can tell where they have treed a coon or find them if they get lost.

Good luck in solving your problem. Through no fault of your own you may need to be a bit careful how you go forward. But go with knowledge.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

cats are invasive and serious predators of both native wildlife and some pets.

 

[enola]

cats are invasive and serious predators of both native wildlife and some pets.

..........not at my house........

 

[EeyoreD]

The "shoot" method will likely not work for you if you're in town. (and thus foot traps like duke's won't work) However, if you get a 55 gal drum and fill it with water (either fill it each time or put a fine mesh over the top of it so you don't also end up with a mosquito-breeder), drop the trap with the animal in it. I haven't used this method but from what I've read around it seems the prominent "in town" way.

One thing - it sounds like you're concerned about accidentally trapping people's cats. Use EXTREME caution if you're going to release a cat from a live trap. While some may belong to someone, some may be legitimately feral and those are vicious little bleeps - and it may not just run away when you open the trap.

 

[enola]

The "shoot" method will likely not work for you if you're in town.  (and thus foot traps like duke's won't work) However, if you get a 55 gal drum and fill it with water (either fill it each time or put a fine mesh over the top of it so you don't also end up with a mosquito-breeder), drop the trap with the animal in it.  I haven't used this method but from what I've read around it seems the prominent "in town" way.

One thing - it sounds like you're concerned about accidentally trapping people's cats.  Use EXTREME caution if you're going to release a cat from a live trap.  While some may belong to someone, some may be legitimately feral and those are vicious little bleeps - and it may not just run away when you open the trap.

That is exactly why the cat should also get permanently dunked in the water barrel........

 

[EeyoreD]

That is exactly why the cat should also get permanently dunked in the water barrel........

True, but I have mixed feelings about that. I have a cat, but it's indoor-only (because I'm well aware of the dangers to a free-ranging cat). But I've also had cats stalk my flock, feral and not. But once I experienced a true feral cat...