DURANGO, Colo. \u2013 Changes might be coming to Durango to help keep residents safe from bears with electric fencing.<\/p>\n
KOB 4 spoke with Bryan Peterson, executive director of Bear Smart Durango, about potential city code changes to address bear encounters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always have more bears coming into urban areas in these bad food years,\u201d said Peterson. \u201cBut we even have bears spending a lot of time up in town in good natural food years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bear Smart Durango is urging city leaders to revise codes on how residents can protect themselves from bears.<\/p>\n
\u201cCity residents have been at a disadvantage in terms of human bear conflict,\u201d said Peterson. He highlighted issues like property damage and bears getting into fruit trees and chicken coops.<\/p>\n
Electric fences and concerns<\/p>\n
Electric fences and mats are allowed as bear deterrents in the county, but Durango residents lack this option.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the county, electric fences and mats are allowed,\u201d said Peterson. \u201cCity residents haven\u2019t had that option.\u201d<\/p>\n
Concerns about safety arise with electric fences, but Peterson assures they are safe for people and pets.<\/p>\n
\u201cFence energizers don\u2019t start fires,\u201d said Peterson. \u201cIt\u2019s unpleasant but it goes away really fast so it\u2019s safe for people and pets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peterson emphasized that electric fences are more effective than other methods like yelling or using rubber bullets.<\/p>\n
City councilors are yet to decide on allowing electric fencing and mats in the city. If approved, Durango will join other Colorado towns with similar measures, said Peterson.<\/p>\n