The U.S. government has placed M44s in certain areas to kill coyotes. An M44 is a cyanide trap, and they are incredibly dangerous to all wildlife and even humans. On March 16, 2017, fourteen-year-old Canyon Mansfield and his dog, Casey, were out walking by their home in Pocatello, Idaho.
Then something terrible happened.
Image Credit: Theresa Mansfield
Something was sticking out of the ground, and Casey touched it, and it shot out some orange powder. Cameron was able to jump out of the way, Casey was hit with the powder. It was an M44.
Image Credit: Theresa Mansfield
Brooks Fahy, the executive director of Predator Defense, says that the M44s have a scent marker on them that lures the animal in. Casey probably smelled it and went in to take a look.
Image Credit: Theresa Mansfield
