Beware of cougars, B.C. conservation officers warn

Hikers in the Squamish area are being warned to keep a wary eye out for cougars.

There were six encounters with the big cats last Friday alone, including oneon the Stawamus Chief trail near Squamish. Hikers with a leashed dog said a female cougar attacked and ate their pet.

The cougar attacked a second dog the next day, before conservation officers with tracking dogshunted it down and killedit.

Conservation officer Chris Doyle said Monday there have been three or four cougars approaching people in the Squamish area, but the one killed on Saturday seemed totally unafraid of humans and their dogs.

"It was essentially waiting for people to come up the trail with their dogs," Doyle told CBC News. "The cougar came up and took the dog from the person and subsequently killed and ate the dog."

There has been an unusual number of cougar sightings in recent days, Doyle said.

"Even people in their backyards are encountering cougars. The cougars in some cases haven't been afraid of people and have shown interest in people," the conservation officer said.

If you run into a cougar, Doyle said, don't run. Back away slowly, throw a rock or a stick if you have to, and be prepared to fight for your life if the cat keeps coming.