2 Animal Traps Found, 1 Hurts Dog In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, PA — Police in Middletown Township are urging the public to be careful after a pair of animal traps were found in a wooded area there.

Police on Wednesday said the traps were discovered Monday on township property in the woods between Lower Orchard and Juniper drives. That's just east of the intersection of Bristol Oxford Valley Road and New Falls Road.

"It should go without saying that wildlife leg traps are not permitted to be placed by residents on township land," police said in a social media post.

According to police, an "unlucky pup" walking in the area stumbled upon one of the traps. The township's animal control officer found the second.

Police Lt. Stephen Forman said the dog's injuries were minor and that it was "extremely lucky" not to have been hurt worse. He said it is possible someone in the area was trying to trap "nuisance" animals like coyotes, but that police aren't convinced that's the case.

"Either way, it is not legal or a good decision," Forman said.

On Facebook, police added: "Please be careful if you and your four-legged friends frequent the wooded area between Lower Orchard and Juniper."