Police investigating case of cat caught in leghold trap

Karl Puckett
Great Falls Tribune

Great Falls police are investigating a case in which a domestic cast was caught in a steel leghold trap, Sgt. Jim Wells said Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Great Falls Animal Shelter reported on its Facebook page that the cat was resting comfortably on antibiotics and pain medication after having its leg amputated Tuesday.

"Eating like a bear!" the shelter said of the cat, which has been nicknamed Bear.

The fluffy gray cat was discovered by Gisela Hvamstad and her 14-year-old daughter, Danaya, on Friday near their home at the intersection of 24th Street North and 9th Avenue North.

Bear the cat is recovering at the Great Falls animal shelter after having its leg amputated after it got caught in a leghold trap.

It was in the middle of the street with a leghold trap attached to its front paw. They captured the frightened and hissing cat as it tried to drag itself under a vehicle, then called Great Falls Animal Control.

Setting a steel jaw trap or snare within the city limits of Great Falls is a misdemeanor punishable by a minimum fine of $300 and a maximum fine of $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail.

"It's unusual, but it's not unheard of," Wells said of cases of animals being trapped in the city.

There are several possible laws that could pertain to the case, including animal cruelty and setting a trap in the city limits, Wells said.

The right leg of the cat was amputated per the recommendation of a veterinarian.

Trap Free Montana Public Lands, a not-for-profit that promotes trapping reform, heard about the trapped cat in Great Falls and offered to pay the veterinarian bills.