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A gray squirrel caught in a foot-hold trap in Ronkonkoma was safely rescued and brought to an emergency veterinary facility on Friday, thanks to the quick actions of a Ronkonkoma homeowner and a Long Island animal rescuer.
John DeBacker, an on-call animal rescuer who runs Long Island Cat Kitten Solution, told Greater Long Island he received a call from a Ronkonkoma woman who spotted a squirrel struggling beneath a fence that separates her property from a neighbor’s yard. The woman saw that the animal’s leg was clamped in a foot-hold trap and asked DeBacker for help.
“The resident noticed a squirrel struggling from underneath her fence in her neighbor’s property,” said DeBacker of Bellmore. “I arrived within 45 minutes to free the squirrel.”
Once he pulled up to the scene, DeBacker said he immediately rushed into the woman caller’s neighbor’s yard to assist the injured animal.
“I did not even knock on the neighbor’s door,” he said. “I ran right for the squirrel to hopefully save his life.”
He then transported the animal to an emergency wildlife rehabber, who is now overseeing the squirrel’s recovery.
“These traps are not only dangerous, but extremely inhumane,” DeBacker said. “A kid could have easily stepped on it, or a cat. There are more humane ways to handle situations.”
Every second mattered
DeBacker, who has rescued countless wild and domestic animals across Long Island, said the trap was located on private property, and he made the decision to trespass in order to save the animal.
He recorded the two videos below showing his rescue in Ronkonkoma.
Reacting on Facebook to the video of the rescue, Geri Thomas-Carfagna expressed her disgust over the use of the trapping device and praised DeBacker for the making the save.
“Heartbreaking!! I pray that this innocent squirrel will be okay,” she said. “Thank you John for being his savior.”
NBC New York coverage
The rescue received coverage from NBC New York over the weekend. See their coverage below:
Foot-hold traps are banned for most uses in New York state.
Top photos: The rescued squirrel from a Ronkonkoma backyard (courtesy of John DeBacker).
