A Langford woman reports having a close encounter with large cougar on Humpback Road near Sooke Road on Wednesday evening.
Colleen Kennedy says she was out walking her chihuahua, with her 13-year-old son Beau following on his bike, when they heard a rustling in the bushes around 6:15 p.m.
They turned around to see the large cat appear only 10 feet away from them.
Kennedy says they stood frozen for a few moments while her dog was barking at the cougar.
She then threw her walking stick at the animal and it took off across the road and down into the creek.
Kennedy estimates the cougar weighed about 150 lbs.
Mother and son, with the dog in tow, then hurried towards a small pickup that happened to be parked nearby.
They hopped in the back and the driver, who had witnessed the scene unfold, took them home.
The BC Conservation officer Service has been notified.
Ben O'Hara
