Title Image
Image
Caption
The north portion of Big Springs Dog Park is temporarily closed due to porcupine activity in the area, according to a July 10 update from the City of Airdrie. Graphic / City of Airdrie
Portal
Title Image Caption
The north portion of Big Springs Dog Park is temporarily closed due to porcupine activity in the area, according to a July 10 update from the City of Airdrie. Graphic / City of Airdrie
Categories

The north portion of Big Springs Dog Park is temporarily closed due to porcupine activity in the area, according to a July 10 update from the City of Airdrie.

Big Springs Dog Park, is, according to the city, "Partially fenced in area located on the pathway south of the cemetery to Spring Haven Crescent. This area is fenced between the QEII Highway and runs along the backyard residential area."

“While porcupines are generally non-aggressive, they can pose a risk to dogs,” the city stated.

Image removed.

“We’ve received several reports from residents and are actively monitoring the situation,” the update continued. “If the porcupine is still present tomorrow morning, we will set humane traps to safely relocate it. We expect the closure to last a couple of days.”

In the meantime, officials ask residents to “keep a close eye on your pets while visiting the park.”

According to Alberta government wildlife guidance, “Porcupines do not normally quill intruders without advanced notice. Porcupines will communicate when they are feeling threatened by vocalizing, displaying their quills and clattering their teeth. Be cautious if you see these signs, and back away slowly, as they mean a quilling may be imminent.”

The province notes that porcupines cannot throw their quills. “A quilling happens when a porcupine embeds its quills into the intruder with a quick slap of its tail.”

Dogs are frequently involved in porcupine encounters. The province advises, “Keep your dog on a leash when outdoors, especially if you suspect that there’s a porcupine in the area. Dogs are often unable to resist investigating nearby porcupines and may suffer for their curiosity with a nose full of quills.”

Porcupines are nocturnal and rest in trees during daylight hours. Their diet consists mainly of leaves, plants and tree bark, though they are also attracted to salt and may chew leather items or vehicle brake lines.

The City of Airdrie has seven off-leash areas for dog owners. The general rules of use are:

  • Pet owners must clean up after their pets and keep them in control at all times – on- or off-leash.

  • City-owned off-leash parks are open to everyone; exclusive use is not allowed.

  • Dogs must not be left unattended.

  • Aggressive, sick, in-season or declared vicious dogs are prohibited.

  • A maximum of six dogs per person is allowed.

Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. 

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM. 

DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app.

Portal