Cougars target ponies, dogs in pair of Vancouver Island attacks
QUALICUM BEACH – Conservation officers plan to destroy two cougars believed to be responsible for killing a pony and constantly hovering around a sprawling wooded community north of Qualicum Beach.
Troy Sterling of the BC Conservation Officer Service said what appears to be a female and her older kitten killed a pony out of its shelter early last Saturday morning in the rural Meadowood subdivision.
“In this case, it’s probably more about convenience because both cats appear to be healthy. They’re opportunistic,” Sterling said, who noted hounds could not initially pick up the scent of the big cats.
In response to reports cougars are hanging out in local yards, Sterling said perhaps potential attractants are luring cougars there.