
Since its reintroduction the beaver has once again spread widely in Switzerland. In the process it has also reached rivers in the settlement area. Even in the middle of cities, gnawed trees are no longer a rarity.
Because the beavers in Switzerland all originate from abandoned animals, they are not very shy. Especially in settlement areas, the animals have more or less lost their shyness.
With the increase in urban beavers, incidents involving beavers have risen slightly in recent years. Especially against dogs, but also against humans, beavers can defend themselves with their sharp teeth. In cases where people have been bitten, the beavers have always been surprised. In one case, for example, a bather jumped into the water right next to the entrance to a beaver den.
In cases where dogs were injured, the dogs were usually not on a leash. Especially when dogs swim after the beaver, they would have no chance in case of an attack. But in most cases the beaver doesn’t mind and just dives and swims away.
Nevertheless, you should always keep your dog on a leash. When swimming, never swim towards a beaver. Since beavers are very interested animals, they usually do this on their own. The best thing to do is just keep swimming. As long as the beaver recognises you as a human being and does not frighten you, the beaver poses no danger at all.