Cougar pet attacks near Victoria lead to one dog killed
Posted March 31, 2022 10:12 pm.
Last Updated April 1, 2022 12:18 pm.
Several cougar attacks near Victoria have left pet owners shaken. In one incident, a dog was killed by a big cat on Wednesday.
According to the Conservation Officer Service, there have been three attacks in the backyards of rural homes southwest of Victoria in the last two weeks.
All of the incidents took place during the daytime.
“The dogs involved were larger breeds (60+ pounds). In all cases, at least one cougar suddenly appeared out of nearby bushes and attacked the animals,” a Facebook post from the COS reads.
Mark Kissinger, a Conservation Officer, says for these animals to be acting out of character in this way is alarming.
“Cougars are such a specialized predator, they really don’t want to risk conflict, they don’t want to risk being injured. So, to see cougars switch from their nocturnal hunting, and to switch from their normal prey species, such as deer or racoons, and start targeting dogs with the presence of people, it is a bit of a concern for us.”
“We have put up trail cameras, we have tracking dogs at the ready, and we do have live traps set in the area.”
Kissinger does have a theory on why these cougar attacks are happening.
“Over the last two years, we have a had virus in the deer population that has really knocked the population down in Metchosin and Sooke, and that’s the key species that these cougars really focus on. So now that the population has decreased a bit, you may be seeing some of these cougars switching their prey species.”
While most dogs were OK after the attacks, one died in Metchosin, where two cougars were spotted.
These incidents have prompted a warning from the Service.
They’re asking residents to keep a close eye on their kids and to keep pets on leash when out since most of the attacks have happened during the daytime.
Kissinger also recommends watching your dog closely if you let it out in the back or front-yard off-leash, and if you do happen to see a cougar, be as loud and aggressive as possible, but never turn your back and run away.
Anyone in the East Sooke and Metchosin areas is urged to report cougar sightings immediately to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.
