Bobcat sightings in Calgary raise concerns about pet safety

Pet owners in some Calgary neighbourhoods where bobcats have been spotted are being told to keep their smaller pets indoors for their safety.

The animals have been seen in several southwest neighbourhoods, including Lakeview,KelvinGrove and Britannia.

• Bobcat wandering Britannia's residential streets caught on camera
• Bobcat caught snoozing in Calgary backyard

There have been reports of a bobcat attacking and killing a small dogin Lakeview.

JohnTetz, with Alberta Fish and Wildlife, says the bobcats are in Calgary for one reason because there are available food sources.

"They are an opportunistic predator and they will take whatever presents itself. They thrive in the city environment and that's because of an abundance of prey, including small pets," Tetz told Doug Dirks, host of the Homestretch.

Tetz says Calgarianslivingin areas where bobcats and other predatorshave been seen should watch their smaller pets closely.

He also says people should get rid of areasaround their propertywhere the animals can take shelter. Tetz says that means keeping brush and cover down to a minimum and making sure they can'tdenunder porches and garden sheds.

"Eliminate the opportunities for them to stay in yards, or near yards hidden from view,that will go a long way towards protecting our pets," he said.

Tetz says the wildlife servicedoesn't monitor the urban bobcat populationbecause they are not considered dangerous to humans.