A Belcarra teen and his dog are breathing a sigh of relief after a run-in with a cougar Tuesday evening.
Levy Sadler, 16, was in his room when he heard a commotion outside in the back yard of his home, which fronts on to Sasamat Lake. When he looked out the window, he saw a cougar attacking the family's nine-month-old puppy, Daisy.
"It was like looking into death, it was so scary," Sadler told CTV News.
He jumped out the window and went down to the yard and was screaming at the cougar to get off the dog but the cougar then turned on Sadler - it took a swipe at the teen but missed - who quickly backtracked back into his room and closed the window.
The cougar left, leaving behind Daisy with puncture wounds to her head, behind her ear and scratches on her back.
Conservation officer Cody Ambrose said it looks like the cougar was hunting along the shoreline when the dog confronted it.
"We believe it was a defensive attack," Ambrose said. "If it was a predatory attack, the dog would be dead, so I think this is just a case where a cougar and a dog had a confrontation."
Ambrose said the Tri-Cities' location on a mountainside means cougar sightings do happen. "If there's a food source, cougars will come into the area," he said.
People who encounter a cougar should make themselves as big as they can by raising their hands and even baring their teeth, he added.
"You want to send the message that you're not prey, and if you do get into a confrontation with a cougar, do not run."
Conservation officers had four dogs out Wednesday morning searching for the cougar but they weren't able to find a strong enough scent.
Officers are advising people to be particularly careful in the Sasamat Lake area by keeping dogs on a leash, hiking in pairs or groups, and being "very aware" of the surroundings when out on the trails.
Anyone who spots a cougar is asked to call the 24/7 Conservation Officer Service line immediately at 1-877-952-7277.
spayne@tricitynews.com
