Springtime brings new risks to Foothills residents with outdoor pets. With the warmer weather comes an influx of wild animals, which include predators like foxes and coyotes.

Christa Michailuck, Parks Manager for the Town of Okotoks, says there are many ways for pet owners to be proactive about threats posed by wild animals.

"To help keep pets safe, citizens should definitely not leave pet food outside, or other sources of food. Garbage containers that aren't secured, compost bins, that type of thing. Definitely don't want to draw animals into the yard where they may come in conflict with their pet," Michailuck said.

Michailuck added it's important to keep an eye on pets near areas like the River Valley. Pet owners should follow leash by-laws to protect both their pets and wild-life.

"Dogs off leash can go get chasing things, and they in turn come across an animal that could be confrontational to them, or aggressive. And we also want to make sure that those areas are protected for the animals that do inhabit those areas. So we don't want dogs chasing nesting birds and other things like that," she said.

Michailuck says residents should try to keep an eye on any pets they let outdoors.

"I do know of some people that have rabbits and things like that that they keep out in their backyard. I would say I recommend people like that to only have them out loose when they have them supervised. Because foxes and things can easily scope out those types of animals, hop the fence, and carry those pets away," she said.

Though there have been no reported sightings in Okotoks, a number of residents in southern Calgary have reported seeing bobcats, and two cats have been attacked.

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