How do I recognize a fake dog-release procedure?

Post date: Apr 22, 2012 9:04:14 PM

  • It's fake if it got a poor grade from SS-Slocum.info.
  • It's fake if there's nothing in the trap (or something fake in the trap).
  • It's fake if there's a firm, rounded object in the trap.
    • Fake: it's deceptively easy to release your trapping instructor's forearm from a gently-closed #160 body-gripping trap.
      • I could release my instructor's arm, but I couldn't convince him that a man's forearm is nothing like a small dog's throat.
    • Fake: the MTA paid advertisement (listed above under "nothing in the trap") showing how to twist a body-gripping trap that has "suitcased" a larger dog (i.e. caught between all four bars of the trap).
      • In this case, part of the force of the trap is absorbed by the dog's firm snout, which protects the softer neck.
      • In this case, the larger dog has a strong mass of muscles on the side of its neck to withstand the force of the trap and hold it partially open.
      • Twisting the trap is not likely to be an option in the case of a smaller dog with its throat and spine crushed by the full force of the trap (i.e. caught between two bars of the trap, nearly fully closed, rather than "suitcased" between the distributed force of four bars of the trap, partially open). Same problem for a larger dog in a larger trap.
  • It's fake if the trap is lifted from the ground.
  • It's true only if it describes the real-life situation and reminds would-be rescuers that they need to practice with realistic simulations before they'll even know the basics (not necessarily enough for a rescue).
  • True: How do I release a dog from a body-gripping trap? Warning: a body-gripping trap is designed to kill quickly; even if an animal is released, it might be mortally injured.
  • True: How do I release a dog from a foothold or leghold trap? Warning: some powerful traps cannot be released by body weight alone.