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When Justin Beaver attacks

With the fierceness of Beyonce and a celebrity status to boot, a feisty B.C. resident goes by a familiar name.

A curmudgeonly mammal with the moniker Justin Beaver has been terrorizing a popular Port Alberni swimming hole.

According to CTV there have been reports the critter is attacking other animals and swimmers at the Somass River.

Fiona Gibson told CTV she was once charged by the aggressive beaver.

“He’s got some pretty big ferocious claws and teeth,” she said. “He came at me! I was surprised, it’s not something you expect from a beaver or a rodent.”

Just like his namesake, the beaver is notorious for his antics.

No one is holding back in ratting on the dam-building creature either, conservation officers are fully aware of the beaver’s behaviour.

“The Conservation Officer Service received a report that there was an aggressive beaver that possibly attacked a resident’s dog,” CO Daniel Eichstadter, told CTV.

Dog owner Mark Thomson estimates Justin Beaver has been around for at least four years.

His dog Max was attacked by the celebrity animal, which angrily approaches anyone who treads on its territory, – some say that's the entire riverfront area.

“The beaver went under, grabbed Max, picked him up and then brought him back down,” he said.

The dog was left with a bloody gash on its abdomen.

Swimming hole enthusiasts want something done about the bad beaver before someone gets seriously injured.

“I’m afraid for the children’s safety mostly, and for the dogs because if it gets them in the water that’s where he’ll attack them,” said Gibson. “On land he’s a little fat and slow.”

But conservation says the rodent is just acting in defence, and the public needs to do its part to steer clear and keep dogs on a leash.

Eichstadter confirmed the service would not be relocating the beaver.

 – With files from CTV News



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