I had a few request for info so I'll just post here for sake of ease , they're like 16 bucks canadian, hopefully the link works
https://www.princessauto.com/en/wire...UaAhQXEALw_wcB

Here's what has transpired after our report to the Conservation Enforcement Officer:

"He called the landowner and was told that he'd giving permission to a local kid to trap. Apparently, the landowners can pretty much do what they want according to the Officer. He seemed frustrated. All of the signs and information regarding these public access lands clearly state that trapping is prohibited. We (strongly) suggested to the agent that the land be posted that trapping was occurring on the property."

A quick google search indicates that it is NOT LEGAL to use a snare to trap unless it is underwater in your state. I would suggest that your Conservation Officer is either lazy or stupid if he does not know the laws on snares. I would not hesitate to contact him and point the law out and request that he find out the persons name and follow up with a summons, or you may need to talk to his supervisor. As this would make it an illegal snare and you were on the property legally you would be entitled to compensation if your property, ie, Dog, if he suffered harm.

This tool Chris Dawe shows is a Felco C7. It weighs 9.5 oz and will cut any cable snare I have seen. This is a great awareness thread! Thanks Garry, I am glad Rill is OK.

Thanks for the link, Chris. That Felco C7 is much more compact and lighter than what I was carrying.

I had a similar incident as Garry about 15 years ago. It was late grouse season in WV and about 6 inches of fresh snow. Was hunting Betty, the setter in my avatar on a public wildlife area where my RGS committee and I had done some small clear-cuts years before. Fresh snow, no tracks when Betty started whirling and biting--she was in a snare around her neck. Hard to control a panicked dog, couldn't get the snare off her neck. It was fence stapled to a tree, so I shot the cable off at the tree and was able to wrestle the cable off her neck.
That night I was attending a conservation banquet and told the story to my buddy. The gentleman across the table from me introduced.himself as the conservation officer for that county. He took a lot of info from me and said he was going to check out the area. He found more unmarked snares that hadn't been checked in days.
He called me, said he found out the person involved and ticketed him.
I didn't start carrying cable cutters however until several articles in Gun Dog, PDJ, etc wrote on the dangers of these new non relaxing snares popular out west.

The Felco c7 cutters run about $50.

In PA we have to be certified to use cable restraints. I am certified to use them. Cable restraints are made to “restrain” the animal. Snares are made to kill. I’ve never had an animal die in a cable restraint. If your dog almost died in a trap it would have been a snare. Glad your dog is alright.

Because of this thread Iv'e ordered a pair of the Felco C7 cutters. Never thought about snare traps,but my turkey dog has been caught twice in a leg hold steel trap set for coyotes. Luckily for me both times the trapper used padded rubber jaws an my dog started barking like crazy when caught. I got him out quick and no harm done. My THANKS to everyone for your posts.

I bought a set of cable cutters from Amazon 15.00 that cut 3/16 steel cable. Repurposed a Lether sheath and carry it on my 2 1/2 HD work belt with all my other safety/med gear. That belt comes in at 16lbs when I carry my 5" Ruger 1911 10MM. That is heavy rig and I am looking for ways to spread out the load. I want all the items with me when 2 miles in or more. No one will get to you very fast

Read this cable restraint manual for the best information
 

I've attached a very informative manual used by our Missouri Department of Conservation to train trappers in the use of cable restraints. It is very informative and might help you understand the cable restraint better.

In case you don't want to read the information, let me give you the not-so-surprising conclusion as to how to release an animal caught in one of these restraints (which are intended to not injure/kill an animal when set correctly): Cut the cable to release the animal alive.

https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/fil...tionManual.pdf