Dunedin resident Frankie Vella, who rescued her black Labrador, Finn, from a leg hold trap set by possum poachers at Bethune’s Gully last week. Photo: Peter McIntosh

Dunedin resident Frankie Vella was shocked to hear her dog, Finn, yelping after his paw was caught in a trap set by possum poachers close to a popular Bethune’s Gully walking track last week.

"It definitely gave me a fright but I was able to be calm for the dog, which helped him to calm down.

"He’s a lovely, gentle dog," she said.

Ms Vella, who lives nearby, managed to extricate the front right paw of her 3-year-old black Labrador and the dog escaped with only minor injuries during the walk, at 8am on Wednesday.

Social media messages have since warned other dog owners about the risks of unauthorised traps at Bethune’s Gully, and the Dunedin City Council has also put up warning signs.

A leg hold trap found at Bethune’s Gully by Dunedin City Council contractors last week. Photo: Supplied

Ms Vella was impressed by the council’s swift response, and warned other people that illicitly set leg hold traps could injure dogs and other pets, as well as infants and other people.

DCC group manager parks and recreation Robert West said the DCC was concerned about all unauthorised trapping and council contractors had visited the area on Thursday morning, searching for traps.

The trap that had caught the dog was no longer there, but four others were found.

Possum poachers appeared to be involved. People were not allowed to set traps on council land without permission, despite possums being considered a pest, he said.

DCC pest control contractors did not use leg hold traps in any council parks or reserves.