MISSOULA — A couple lost their beloved dog to a hunting trap last December, and now the Missoula City Council is reworking an ordinance in hopes of preventing incidents like that in the future.
A 17-month-old dog was caught in an illegal trap in the Orchard Homes neighborhood in Missoula and died.
The owners told MTN News in a previous interview that finding their pet with a trap around her neck was traumatic.
Now the Missoula City Council is hoping to amend the existing trapping ordinance, to allow for more restitution in the event an incident like this happens again.
"Really what we're talking about here is an issue of public safety," commented Footloose Montana executive director Stephen Capra.
Jaymz Partida was sentenced last December to six months in prison and $400 restitution for the incident.
The Missoula City Council held a Public Safety Meeting on Wednesday to address the controversial trapping issue.
If the proposed amendments pass, judges would have more leeway into deciding how much restitution to order in a case like the one from last year.
Allowing Missoula Parks and Recreation employees to disarm or confiscate traps they find in city parks, trails or on conservation lands has also been proposed.
Capra said during the meeting that trapping is a continued concern for pet owners.
"This is an incredibly -- well this is PTSD type situation. It's something people never get over. And having met the gentleman who's dog was caught last year, he said 'I don't think I'll ever get over this'."
A public hearing has been set for Oct. 19 to further discuss the amendments to the existing ordinance.
