06/29/2009

Associated Press

A coalition of livestock producers in Linn County is trying to find enough money to help keep its federal trapper.

Joel Pynch, a Brownsville sheep producer, says several agencies are facing budget problems, and it may leave Linn County without a federal trapper to deal with predator animals next year.

Some ideas to help fill the funding gap include asking farm bureaus and other groups such as Grange associations to contribute to the effort. Another is asking more non-producers who may also need trapper services to donate. More than $1,000 has already been raised this way.

The coalition also may ask the county to create a separate fund within its budget exclusively devoted to animal control, so that those interested may donate money specifically to that cause.

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Information from: Albany Democrat-Herald, http://www.dhonline.com