Conservation officers had to shoot a cougar in Port Hardy, after it killed a small dog in a residential backyard downtown on Tuesday morning.
Several worried residents called conservation after the cougar was spotted stalking around Hastings Street. Officers and a contracted tracker with hounds were sent in. After finding the animal, it was “safely put down” to “ensure people in the community were safe,” says a statement from the conservation service.
Cougars looking for non-natural food sources in residential areas are a risk to public safety, and if people spot the animals they should report them to the Report All Poachers and Polluters hotline at 1-877-952-7277.
For tips how to reduce the risk of conflicts with wild animals, visit WildSafeBC.
