Ann Arbor, MI (May 29, 2026) — The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) is warning the community about the dangers of inhumane and indiscriminate wildlife traps and treatment following a series of disturbing cruelty investigations — including the death of a beloved family cat named Bucky.

In recent months, HSHV’s Animal Cruelty Investigations team has responded to multiple cases involving severe cruelty toward wildlife. In one case, a man was charged with illegal animal cruelty after deliberately setting a woodchuck on fire. In another, a raccoon was left in a live trap for a week by a well-known nuisance control company and ultimately starved to death. Sunday, HSHV helped an opossum shot in the head; though she didn’t survive, her 5 babies are being raised by Motor City Possum Rescue.

And in another heartbreaking case, HSHV officers are investigating a resident allegedly using a cruel trap on his property to kill wildlife but instead trapped a family pet.

A Chelsea man discovered his beloved lost cat, Bucky, in a neighbor’s burn pit. Bucky had suffered extensive burns over most of his body, along with compound fractures to both front legs. His owner reported that the neighbor had been using what was described as a steel-jawed leghold trap on his property intended to capture and kill wildlife. Instead, it’s believed Bucky got caught in the brutal device.

Though still legal in most places, steel-jaw leghold traps don’t just capture; they clamp down onto limbs with crushing force, causing extreme injuries, pain, and panic. Animals caught can suffer broken bones, torn tendons, tissue death, and even self-mutilation as they desperately try to escape. Because the traps are intended to capture rather than kill, animals may suffer for hours or days from injury, exposure, dehydration, or predation before anyone returns.

Although a necropsy could not determine whether Bucky was alive before being burned, investigators were able to conclude that he suffered catastrophic injuries after becoming caught in the deadly trap.

“Bucky’s death is a tragedy for Bucky and his family. Unfortunately, we can’t fix the pain and heartache caused. But we will do our best to seek justice and to educate on the inherent cruelty in our approach to wildlife and the dangers to pets,” says Tanya Hilgendorf, HSHV’s CEO. “Many wildlife control methods can cause extreme suffering. They also endanger pets, traumatize families, and erode the compassion that holds communities together.”

“We understand that animals can sometimes feel like a nuisance,” Hilgendorf continues. “But there are always humane options. Exclusion techniques, hazing, and habitat modification resolve conflicts without risking the lives of pets and wild animals we love and need. Bucky did not deserve this fate. No animal does. Living in a community, or just on the planet, requires patience and compassion, including for our wild neighbors. This is their home, too. We, as humans, need to learn to share better and work through our frustrations without violence.”

HSHV is urging residents to reject the use of inhumane traps and other cruel methods of wildlife control and instead seek humane, effective alternatives when conflicts arise. Resources are available on HSHV’s website: hshv.org/wildlife. HSHV provides 24/7/365 emergency wildlife rescue.  For help with sick or injured wild animals, or to report suspected animal cruelty in Washtenaw County, please call 734-661-3512 or hshv.org/report.

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