Man injured by ‘nail trap’ in the North Carolina wilderness

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A man has suffered deep puncture wounds to his heel after stepping on a so-called “nail trap” in the North Carolina wilderness.

The Asheville Citizen Times reports that the incident occurred Sunday in a remote area of western North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest.

The man, Tyler Mayo, was walking his dog with some friends and their dog. The trap was buried in a rut in a road and covered with leaves. It was made of plywood and 2-inch nails with the points facing up.

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The area is used by hunters as well as by mountain bikers and hikers. Mayo said the words “PETA paybak” were written on the trap and another one that he found, possibly referring to the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The group is based more than 400 miles away in Norfolk, Virginia. PETA denies any involvement and is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

PETA President Ingrid Newkirk told the newspaper that the organization is working with the U.S. Forest Service in the hope of finding fingerprints or other forensic evidence.

Mayo said PETA wouldn’t have been involved because the traps are more likely to hurt an animal than a person.

“If a bear stepped on them, it would get an infection and die,” he said.