People are appalled a beaver was possibly shot to death at Three Mile Bend off-leash dog park.
The beaver was discovered by a canoeist in one of the ponds on the weekend. It’s the latest bloodshed following reports of dogs being attacked by a beaver, likely protecting itself, at the park almost two weeks ago. One dog died after it fought with a beaver and other dogs were injured.
Red Deer RCMP are now investigating the probable shooting in the city park.
Dog owner Tiffany Leamen was horrified to hear someone may have shot the beaver at the dog park.
“It’s just awful. It makes me so sad,” said Leamen, who was at Three Mile Bend Recreation Area on Wednesday with Beatrice, an English bulldog, and Maggie, a French bulldog.
“Even though it’s an off-leash park, people should have control of their dogs. There’s moose here. There’s deer here. There’s beaver here. There’s no way anyone should be blaming the beaver for what happened.”
Dog owner Amanda Dubyna said she hates to hear about injured dogs, but people have no right to kill beaver who are just protecting their young.
“We like that (beaver) are out here,” said Dubyna while walking her dogs Abbey and Roxy who like to swim in the ponds.
The city was making plans to trap and relocate the beavers.
“Things were looking so positive. We were getting lots of support from the community. To have this happened, we were shocked and dismayed about the whole thing,” said Trevor Poth, the city’s parks superintendent about the beaver that died either late last week or early in the weekend.
“I cannot believe someone was carrying a weapon through the park system in the city. The RCMP are taking it very seriously.”
The city’s firearms bylaw prohibits the discharge of any firearm within the boundaries of the city. Provincial and federal wildlife and firearms legislation also apply.
Poth said since no beaver attacks have been reported since the initial reports, and as a result of the beaver’s death, beavers will remain at the park unless there is more aggression towards dogs.
The city now has more signs in the park warning people of wildlife in the area and will be distributing information to educate park users.
Dog owners are reminded of their responsibility to maintain control over their pets, even when in an off-leash park, and report wildlife problems.
Jennifer Halyrevich, of Ponoka, said emotions are running high and everyone should calm down, both dog and beaver supporters.
“Bad things happen. People should just move on,” said Halyrevich while eating lunch with her dogs at Three Mile Bend.
Anyone who has information about the death of the beaver should contact the RCMP complaint line at 403-343-5575. Anyone concerned about aggressive wildlife behavior can all Alberta Fish and Wildlife at 403-340-5142.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com