Several Edmonton pet owners say dogs attacked by beaver in Terwillegar park

WARNING: This article contains images that are graphic in nature.

A number of Edmonton residents are coming forward, reporting their pets have been attacked by a beaver in Terwillegar Dog Park.

Zachary Cole told Global News his wife was at the park Thursday at around 7 p.m. with their English Setter Arty and Golden Retriever Wall-E.

“As she was approaching the pond, she heard Arty yelp and come running back up and was bleeding,” Cole said. “She heard a tail slap and then at that point, kind of panicked and started yelling and ran down to the water and Wall-E, I believe the beaver actually had a hold of Wall-E’s leg.”

He said one of the dogs ran to her. The other, she had to rush into the water to save. Cole said she actually saw the beaver clamped onto the dog near his leg.

Both dogs suffered cuts and had to undergo surgery.

“Wall-E actually fared a little bit better,” Cole said. “He had four puncture wounds; two of the wounds required stitches, they were a little bit deeper. The other two are just open and draining.”

Arty’s injuries were a bit more serious.

“He had actually a chunk out of his lower abdomen, closer to his belly, which required a little bit more invasive surgery. He was heavily sedated, required internal stitching.”

READ MORE: Edmonton family traumatized after pet Chihuahua attacked and killed by off-leash dog 

While the in the waiting room, Cole and his wife met another dog owner whose pet was also attacked by a beaver in the same park at around the same time.

“Another dog that was at the park as well was attacked and last we saw, when we left at one o’clock in the morning from the vet, he was not in great condition either,” Cole said.

Andrea MacGillivray told Global News her dog was also attacked by a beaver at Terwillegar Dog Park Thursday night and shared these photos. Other people have since contacted Global News sharing their own run-ins with beavers at the Edmonton park.

Cole wants the city to put up signs in the area to at least warn owners of the danger.

“The wildlife, they’re entitled to use that habitat as much as anybody else,” he said. “But I think the huge thing is just getting the awareness… to just know that when they go to the park, to be aware of that and to try and keep their dogs away from those areas.”

READ MORE: Family says dog badly injured in northern Alberta cougar attack 

“You’re enjoying the park, having a nice walk, watching your dogs playing with other dogs…You need to be aware. I don’t want this to happen to anybody else,” Cole said.

The city said it was unaware of the incident between Cole’s dogs and the beaver. However, Cole’s wife says she did call 311 to report it.

The city said, in the past, it has taken measures like adding signs, closing off areas temporarily and, in some cases, removing beavers, after complaints of aggressive behaviour.