Amherst no longer killing pesky beavers

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - After public outcry, the Town of Amherst has implemented a plan to stop killing beavers that are destroying memorial trees along the bike path.

On Monday, Amherst Town Supervisor Dr. Barry Weinstein announced a "no-kill" policy involving the beavers has begun. The beavers have been a nuisance along the bike path, taking out memorial trees and building dams in Ellicott Creek.  Until recently, they were caged in underwater traps, where they would remain until they drowned. The Town Board took up the issue on Monday, where animal activists spoke out against the practice.

"Non-lethal methods have been successful all over the United States. In fact, right here in Canandaigua, they had a problem with trees being gnawed on. And they dismissed the trapping and went right to wrapping the trees," said one woman.

Another activist stated, "I'm greatly saddened to think that the very first impulse of certain Town of Amherst officials when confronted with a perceived threat to a few trees was to slaughter and remove the beavers from the area of the bike path."

Police are also investigating a threat against Dr. Weinstein. An e-mail threat was received at Town Hall threatening the supervisor with bodily injury over the beaver issue.

"'I'd like to know who was responsible for making that decision. That person deserves to be beaten to a pulp,'" read Dr. Weinstein.

The supervisor says the practice of trapping the beavers underwater has stopped, though crews will remove dams that impact drainage in the creek.

Dr. Weinstein said, "We have a department that can break up the dams and re-break up the dams if necessary. I don't think killing the beavers is such a great idea."