A case of the cat coming again has left a Bragg Creek, Alta., canine and proprietor cautious of the potential for one more cougar attack.
Snowa, a Great Pyrenees, was on the again deck of her home west of Calgary when a cougar got here and attacked her, leading to a number of puncture wounds and scratches.
People contained in the home scared the cat away by hitting it with a brush.
Two weeks later, a cougar jumped on Snowa as she and her proprietor exited their home. Her proprietor emptied a can of bear spray into the cougar’s face to shake it off.
The pair of assaults on the identical pet is only one of three identified assaults on dogs within the space not too long ago.
Local conservation group Bragg Creek Wild mentioned it’s acquired a number of recent stories of cougar sightings and interactions.
“There has been an increased number of encounters between pets, people and cougars lately, which is unusual somewhat,” Renee Delorme, Bragg Creek Wild president, mentioned.
Cougars often keep away from contact with people, she mentioned.
“But in this case, we have these encounters happening right now. We’re not sure if it’s one or more cougars, but we really advise people to be mindful of how to live in cougar country.”
Cougars are sometimes attracted by rubbish that’s not correctly secured, or by pet meals left exterior. Feeding wildlife or leaving salt licks out for deer can even entice cougars.
Pets left unattended may also be seen as a prepared supply of meals for the cats.
“And so you want to be keeping your pet safe, either indoors or when they’re outside on a leash or in a safe enclosure that cougars cannot break down,” Delorme mentioned.
Bragg Creek Coun. Kevin Hanson mentioned he was conscious of recent cougar sightings in and round Bragg Creek, and the rise in concern from residents.
“Given its location, Bragg Creek is familiar with a variety of wild animals visiting our Hamlet, including cougars. Because of wildlife corridors, cougars are commonly sighted in Rocky View County as far east as Elbow Valley on Highway 8,” Hanson mentioned in an announcement.
“Rocky View County and Bragg Creek Wild continue to collaborate and work together in supporting a safe co-existence for humans and wildlife in the area. Some of these initiatives include animal-proof garbage bins, efforts to reduce wildlife attractants and options for road safety.”
Delorme mentioned Bragg Creek Wild doesn’t know whether or not Snowa confronted two totally different cougars or the identical one, however suspects it’s the identical one. Fish and Wildlife officers have visited the world a few instances following cougar complaints, however got here up empty handed.
She additionally mentioned precise knowledge on space wildlife is a bit fuzzy proper now.
“We do not know much about the wildlife population in our area. And as the number of developments, visitors and human activities increase in this area, we do not know how they will intersect with the wildlife corridors, pathways, and habits,” Delorme mentioned.
“And once we know that, we will know where the pressure points are and how to reduce those conflicts, either through garbage bylaws or development designs.”
Delorme and the province recommends if persons are walking in and round Bragg Creek carry a walking stick and bear spray.
An informational pamphlet from the province additionally has quite a few tips about how to respond to a cougar encounter.
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