$2,500 reward offered to find person behind 'cruel', fatal coyote trapping in Lake Forest Park

SEATTLE -- The Humane Society of the United States and The Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust announced Tuesday they are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever set an illegal trap that killed a coyote in Lake Forest Park.

On Dec. 21, a 15-year-old girl who was walking her dog in a wooded area discovered a dead coyote in a steel-jawed leghold trap. The coyote was found at a creek, where she had apparently dragged herself after she managed to pull the trap that gripped her foot loose from the stake.

Dan Paul, Washington state director for The Humane Society, said: “The person responsible for setting this cruel and indiscriminate trap caused the coyote to suffer immensely and, ultimately, to die from exposure. Equally concerning is the risk that a person or family pet could have stumbled into the trap.”

Anyone with information regarding this case should contact:  Sgt. Kim Chandler at 425-775-1311, ext. 122. Callers may remain anonymous.