NH Citizens Against Trapping (NHCAT) is asking the public to join them in a peaceful and lawful demonstration in protest of the trapper who illegally set the trap that killed a dog named Andrew and all fur trappers who put animals at risk. The demonstration will be at the Candia District Court House at 110 Raymond Road in Candia for the trapper’s arraignment on February 20 at 8:00 a.m.

Demonstrators are asking that this trapper, George Klardie of Manchester, be given the harshest penalty possible and that he not be allowed to ever trap again. Some of the participants will go inside to listen to the arraignment.

NHCAT was formed after this horrific death of a sweet, rescued, 4 year old mixed breed dog in December in Auburn, NH. Andrew was out for a fun romp with his owner through a well-travelled public trail system, when he caught scent of the odiferous bait used in the deadly steel trap. Once in the vice-like grip of the conibear (body-gripping) trap, Andrew’s fate was sealed forever. Because these traps are almost impossible to release from a struggling animal, Andrew’s owner, veterinarian Melissa Fogelson, watched her beloved dog die an excruciatingly painful and horrifying death. Animal and dog lovers everywhere are mourning Andrew's death.

Other innocent animals also fall victim to traps. As little as a month prior to Andrew’s death, a federally protected American bald eagle, was caught in a steel jaw leghold trap in Salem, NH. Fortunately, the eagle was found in time by passers-by. Police then released the eagle from the trap and he flew off with what appeared to be a non-life-threatening injury. The trapper was not fined, since NH Fish and Game Department determined he had not violated any trapping laws.

“Andrew’s death should not be in vain. Even if this trapper loses his license to ever trap again, unfortunately, there are many more just like him” states Denise Muccioli of Nashua, a member of NHCAT. Muccioli goes on to say, “We are all at risk of succumbing to the same fate as Andrew and this eagle, even our children, when traps of death are allowed in NH.”

NHCAT is working toward abolishing trapping in NH so that we may all have a safer outdoors in which to walk and run.