Abstract
Few published data concerning the incidence and extent of injuries to wild canids resulting from trapping activities are available. Casto and Presnall (1944) reported no broken bones for 9 coyotes (Canis latrans) taken in leg-hold traps. A 26% crippling rate due to leg-hold trapping was observed for red (Vulpes vulpes) and gray (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) foxes in Alabama (Atkeson 1956). Animals that pulled out of traps, escaped by wringing or gnawing off feet, or escaped with traps were considered crippled. In New York, less than 1% of the foxes captured in leg-hold traps with a hard plastic coating on the gripping surfaces showed signs of permanent physical injury (Parsons 1977). None of these studies mentioned dental 'injuries. The objective of my study was to compare injuries sustained to both teeth and legs by captured red foxes when trapped in unmodified leg-hold traps, leg-hold traps with plastic coverings, and a newly designed foot-snare.
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