MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • November 1, 2026
The Oct. 19 article “Interest in trapping grows in Maine” was very concerning. Not only for all the wild animals, as well as pets, that unknowingly step into a cruel trap that causes immense suffering, injury and ultimate death, but also for the misinformation it spreads about how to successfully control predator populations that commonly prey on backyard chickens and small livestock. People must fortify their coops, not try to kill every fox or coyote — they’ll never win. Responsible animal keeping is achievable with a bit of understanding of how to keep predators at bay naturally, without cruelty or killing. Hunting or trapping of predators to address a predator problem is a fool’s errand. ~ Arielle Cousens, Readfield