California: Animal Services Seeks Person Who Set Illegal Trap in Tecolote Park

CALIFORNIA -- San Diego County Department of Animal Services officials are seeking Friday whoever set an illegal trap in Tecolote Canyon Park, injuring a raccoon so badly it had to be euthanized.

Land surveyors spotted the trapped raccoon with a broken leg off a path at the Clairemont-area park on Wednesday.

County authorities said the raccoon had likely been stuck in the trap, which was well hidden and chained to a tree root, for several days before being found.

This poor raccoon suffered for days with a broken leg.

The raccoon was later euthanized due to the severity of his injuries, according to the county.

A similar trap was found in Mira Mesa last year, but a raccoon caught at that time survived and was eventually released.

County officials said that whoever placed the device in the park could face charges for the illegal body-gripping trap and for animal cruelty.

Anyone with information on the case was asked to call Animal Services at (619) 767-2675.

(Times of San Diego - Jan 22, 2016)