NewsLocal NewsGreenwood

Actions

A beaver dam in Greenwood has the city and animal lovers concerned

Posted at 6:48 PM, Mar 07, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-07 18:48:15-05

GREENWOOD — The City of Greenwood plans to remove a beaver dam that is causing a creek to flood.

But what will happen to the beavers?

People concerned for the animal's well-being are afraid the beavers will have to be euthanized.

"I am appalled at this. I think they have the right to be here just like we are," said Kathy Clements. "Sure, they are making a little bit of a mess with this dam, but I think this is really harsh and extreme to kill them."

The beaver dam is near a new subdivision off County Road 750 North and Honey Creek Road.

The city will have it removed because of water damage to a nearby farm field and concerns that water will back up through the system of the new neighborhood.

The contractor doing the work could have the beavers euthanized, but he's working with Rusty's Animal Control, hoping to save the animals.

"What we're trying to do now, I am working on some prototypes to catch them alive," said the company's president, Rusty Field. "We have some large cages out there to catch them that way. They don't like to go in them."

If the beavers can't be caught, Field says they may have to be euthanized using a different trap.

Greenwood's stormwater superintendent says he hopes the beavers can be moved to the city's nature center.

The contractor plans to return Monday to see if the traps put out have worked.

RTV6 is not afraid to tackle any issue.

You can connect with us about any problems you have or things you think should be changed.

Just email us at: workingforyou@rtv6.com