Foothold

Foothold Traps:

There are two common kinds of foothold traps. Both use springs that clamp metal jaws down on the foot of an animal.

In Utah, foothold traps are required to have spacers that don't allow the trap jaws to completely close. Nevertheless, such traps can cause serious leg injuries or broken bones and may send an animal into shock. Foothold traps are sometimes placed in water so that an animal may drown after capture and not escape.

A dog caught in a trap will be frantic. Put a jacket or shirt over its head to keep it calm and prevent injury to yourself.

Try using your feet to open the trap. If it's a single spring foothold (pictured top left with a tong-like blade of metal on one side) step down hard on that release with your foot. While standing on the release, carefully separate the jaws and free the dog. 

With a double spring foothold (pictured top right with a blade on each side) also try to calm and immobilize the dog with a jacket. Then step down on both release blades with your feet, applying equal pressure to each one. This should separate the jaws but you may still need to carefully spread them apart to release the dog. Remember to keep pressure on the blades and use extreme caution.