The M-44 is nothing new. It has been used for a number of years, more like decades. They are pretty good for coyote control. Setting them that close to a house would certainly not be standard procedure. It makes one wonder about who and when they were set. I see no admission in the article from USDA about them knowing who or when they were set. Those things will keep working until sprung. Even after the bait has rotted away they will still discharge if the trigger is pulled. And the boy pulled the trigger. Was this set years ago and forgotten about? Did an anger neighbor get ahold of some and set them?
There was an article in last week's Capital Press that told about a wolf in Oregon that found a M-44. One less wolf doesn't bother the ranchers in the area. But the wolf lovers are sort of up in arms.