‘Wildlife animals are capable of feeling pain’: $5,000 reward offered in case of coyote trapped illegally

SWAMPSCOTT, Mass. — The Animal Legal Defense Fund is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for illegally trapping a coyote in Essex County.

According to officials, a 5-month-old male coyote was caught in a Duke #160 trap. These traps are illegal in the state of Massachusetts.

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After becoming trapped, the coyote ran off and it took authorities several days to rescue him.

He was found emaciated and suffering from a broken jaw.

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Officials believe the trap was on his snout for about a week preventing him from eating and causing irreparable damage that led to the decision to euthanize.

Much like the companion animals we consider family, wildlife animals are capable of feeling pain and deserve to be protected under the law. We commend the Swampscott Police Department for taking this case seriously and urge anyone with information about this crime to come forward.

—  Stephen Wells - ALDF Executive Director

In Massachusetts, animal cruelty is a felony offense.

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Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Swampscott Police Department and Animal Control at 781-595-1111.

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