I knew it existed because there was an episode of Cannon that revolved around one. An illegal is murdered on a woman’s property and it is staged to look like he was killed by her “coyote getter.” She is held liable until Cannon proves it was murder.
landmines are banned but this is ok?
a smaller child could have died
Just once I’d like these court peoples to act as though it was the other way around, as in—
What would they have done if a policeman had been injured by a poison trap set for a predator animal by a citizen?
I don’t argue that coyotes are a problem but I don’t think these traps are a good idea.
I knew of the trap’s existence, but I didn’t think that the gov. used them anymore. Dang.
This is an old story, 2017. The trap in the picture is an M-44, it’s spring loaded so there would have been no bang. The Older models were replaced by the M-44’s a long time ago. The older model used a primed pistol case to disperse the cyanide. They used to have them on every ranch here in west Texas. Every gate had warning signs and pictures of the device. Never liked them or allowed the state trapper to use them on our ranches. Now we don’t even allow the trapper on the ranch. Varmint calls and a good rifle is all you need, I call early in the morning on the days I feel like it and always have a rifle in the truck for those I just bump into during the days. I’ll average 70 to 90 Yotes a year depending on the weather.
I personally don’t like traps of any kind other than a live trap where an un-targeted critter can be released. I don’t shoot fox or bobcats and traps or snares don’t discriminate. I’ve seen fawns and javalina’s caught and killed by snares.
Sounds like a case of spring gun combined with sovereign immunity.
Spring guns date back to colonial times. They were essentially large bore shotguns attached to trip wires rigged to pivot the gun at an intruder and fire. The intention was to deter property intruders. Their deadly but indiscrimate operation led to them being banned. The ban on such unattended deadly weapons (of all types) continues to this day.
Sovereign immunity protects governments at all levels from private lawsuits over its legitimate operations unless it (the government) agrees to be sued beforehand.
Here you have the federal government saying the injured party cannot sue because the potentially deadly unattended device was placed as a legitimate act by a government actor on federal land. In this case, a citizen coming onto “its” probably unfenced and unmarked land is trespassing.
Essentially, the kid and his dog got what they deserved. Swell bunch of guys, those Feds.
Maybe the manufacturer of the M44 device also should be sued over its indiscriminate nature.
I guess the doctrine of strict liability doesn’t apply to the Federal Government. They could probably sue the trap manufacturer though.
.gov/subgovagency puts out Cyanide Powder “Bouncing Bettie” Device(s) ?
The CPBB EVEN HAS A MILITARY STYLE DEVICE DESIGNATION OF M-44 The CPBB’s are supposed to be PROTECTING Livestock from PREDATOR
U.S. Citizen and U.S. Canine are out and about doing the things that are normal. They find a “sprinkler head” and upon inspection it SPRAYS CYANIDE POWDER on THEM. It KILLS U.S. Canine and U.S Citizen is Injured and has Severe Long-lasting Medical problems that may be Permanent and Disabling
JUST WHAT FRICKIN BOTTLE-ROCKET ENGINEER CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA ?!?!?!?
How is this CPBB supposed to tell the difference between Predators, Prey, Humans and Domestic Canines ?!?!?
Do Prey know what these things are and to Tippy-Toe around and past them ?
Do the Predators know that it’s their responsibility to set these things OFF ?
And .gov*.* Says not our/my fault blame it on U.S. Citizen and Canine!?!?!?
WTF OVER ????
?Do these “M-44’s” get placed in Progress (see Tagline) ?
< /stupid mind boggling incredulous wonder >
sounds like a very Nazi-like device.....
$150,000 is way too low.
The government person who placed that trap should be held responsible.
If someone were to place some of these around tbe Department of Interior building and “caught” a few bureaucrats, who would be blamed? The trapper or the poisoned victims?
In Florida it is illegal to set booby traps on your own property to catch thieves etc... because first responders are put at risk. Coming to think about it it also is why doors are not made burglary proof opening inward instead of outward.
How is this even legal? The government is at fault there.
Accidentally placed it near the home of a dog owner? I am relatively certain there needs to be an investigation here....
What agent placed it, what agent ordered the placement? Did they know the family or have any connections?
“...he was doused with cyanide by a predator-killing trap that a federal worker mistakenly placed near their home.”
So, if I mistakenly turn left in front of an incoming vehicle...the accident created is not my fault?
Cool.
They have legalized Compound 10-80 again?
Smart of the family to get this into the news.... Makes the government look very bad. 14 year old boys should never need constant supervision and leaving such a trap out where a person could find it.....mmmmm, no.