Wildlife encounters prompt calls for waste bylaw in Bragg Creek

Bears are often spotted in Bragg Creek but the community has no rules about trash bins and that’s a big concern for some residents worried about wild animals becoming habituated to people.

Bears are often spotted in Bragg Creek but the community has no rules about trash bins and that’s a big concern for some residents worried about wild animals becoming habituated to people.

Rocky View County is considering a proposal to add a waste bylaw to enforce trash disposal in areas including Bragg Creek.

“We are the only community in the area that doesn’t have a waste bylaw,” said Renee Delorme, head of Bragg Creek Wild, the community organization which pitched the bylaw.

They think the current situation is dangerous for animals and people.

“We call it bait and wait,” said Lucy Curtis, with Bragg Creek Wild.

“We have a situation where we have attractants and they’re not being contained as they should," she said, "so we teach wildlife that it’s easy food and we’ve had just too many of these situations and we’re hoping to have some bylaws put in place to help us get on top of this.”

When wild animals are protecting prized food or no longer see humans as a threat, pets and people could be at risk.