Poor Bailey. I probably would have rushed in where angels fear to tread. I would have paniced and never even think about grabbing a blanket or something.
MA, this may sound extremely stupid, but I would like to give you an idea for catching this feral. It may not even work, and might just be my cartoon brain going crazy, but what about making the trap look like a bush? There are plenty of trees so you can take the leaves and sort of sew them together with fishine wire or so. Kind of like a blanket. Or even easier a net full of leaves draped over it? and then hide it in trees/bushes? I don't know how crazy that sounds, but it is worth a try!
It sounds like anything is worth a try - otherwise poor Bailey and his friends are going to be in constant danger. I add my best wishes for his speedy recovery.
have you considered calling animal control for the tom? i don't know what they may do to him if they caught him, but it's better than letting him go around tearing peoples' pets to shreds!!
Meagan, your idea about disguising the trap isn't crazy at all!!! I've seen that mentioned on a site that gave information on trapping. Camouflaging the trap is a great idea and one worth trying!
Thanks guys, once Mike is back on the mend we are building a cat enclosure to top all cat enclosures. I am tired of not being able to protect my cats- years ago when we moved here this wasn't even an issue- but now it is as more people move here to escape the city life and bring with them cats that they end up abandoning-