The one that got away: a very curious dog vs. our trap line

Set out a line of traps and you never know who'll show up. This time it was a dog — a very confident, very nosey dog — who decided the traps needed a full inspection. Sniffed every door, walked the whole line, and at one point climbed right on top like he owned the place.

He came this close to stepping on a trigger plate and becoming the most surprised dog in Whatcom County. Luckily he wandered off on his own, no harm done — but it's a perfect example of why we run live cameras on our trap lines.

Here's the thing about trapping: you don't just catch the animal you're after. Cats, dogs, squirrels, the occasional very confused bird — anything curious enough can wander in. A trap that nobody checks is a problem waiting to happen. A trap with a camera on it means we know the moment anything moves, target or not.

So when the camera pinged and we saw a dog doing laps around the traps, we were already watching. If he had managed to get himself caught, we would have been out there right away to let him out — slightly embarrassed, totally unharmed, and probably ready to do it again.

It's also why we tell folks: if you see one of our traps on a job, keep pets clear of the area. The bait smells great to everyone, not just raccoons.

Got something digging under the deck or thumping in the attic? Call or text Gavin — we'll bring the traps, and the cameras, and keep an eye on both.