Three Mile Bend’s notorious beavers may be getting a reprieve from deadly traps.
On Thursday, two landowners offered space on their properties for the beavers, after reports of beaver attacking dogs at the off-leash dog park last week.
One of the locations under consideration is near Bragg Creek, southwest of Calgary.
“What we’re really working on right now is ensuring that the sites where we’d be relocating the beavers to are appropriate for the long-term health of the beaver and its family,” said city parks superintendent Trevor Poth.
There could be between six and 12 beavers living in the area, with two to four adults.
One dog was reported to have died from its wounds and at least one other dog was injured.
It’s likely the dogs got too close to a beaver that saw the canines as a threat to its young. No injuries have been reported since the weekend.
The city is consulting with a trapper. Trapping would require the park to be closed in the evening for one or two nights, probably next week.
Poth said fatal trapping would be last resort.
Since the clashes between the dogs and beaver, the city has erected signs at the dog park to caution users of the presence of wildlife.
Due to the escalating nature of these attacks, more action is required to reduce the threat to the public, he said.
The city wants to remind residents that they must have control of their pets, through calling, whistles or hand signals, at all times when in the off-leash area. Dog walkers are also required to carry leashes at all times and should leash their pets whenever they encounter wildlife.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com