CANMORE – A black bear was euthanized after it killed a small dog on Sunday (July 14) in the Cougar Creek area of Canmore.
RCMP responded to the report of an adult male black bear in a resident's backyard at about 11:30 p.m. on Sunday (July 14), but were unable to immediately locate the bruin.
When Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers arrived Monday morning (July 15), after a report that the bear had returned to feed on the remains of the dog, the officers found the bear sleeping in the backyard.
“After assessing the situation, fish and wildlife officers decided to immobilize the bear,” said Laura Vilchis Sanchez, a communications advisor with the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services, in an email.
Officers determined the bear was underweight and in poor condition.
Using the black bear response guide, which provides a standard approach to deciding black bear management responses, the officers felt it was appropriate to euthanize the bear.
A Voyent Alert was issued on Monday (July 15), which asked people to avoid the Cougar Creek commuter pathway and pedestrian underpass.
In September of 2023, a black bear had been euthanized after repeatedly feeding on fruit trees in the Cougar Creek area.
The Town of Canmore has an incentive program to remove fruit trees, which covers 100 per cent of the removal cost with a cap of $500.
