A Port Alberni man managed to fight off a cougar that attacked his small dog Wednesday night, and both owner and pet are now recovering from their injuries.
It happened around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday night, the dog’s owner told CHEK News.
Mark Payne said he let his dog Alaska outside of his home in the area of Timberlane Road when a cougar pounced on the pet.
Mark Payne’s dog Alaska is shown. (Submitted)
“It was just instant. It was sudden, it happened so quick,” he said. “I looked over and I saw this brown paw reach out.”
Alaska charged the cougar, but it pounced first, pulling her away from her owner.
As Payne ran over, the two struggled in a fight.
“The cat had Alaska wrapped up,” he said. “The cat was overtop Alaska, chomping at it, biting at her face, at her back, at her spine, at her neck. I just immediately went into fight mode.”
He managed to deal three blows to the cougar’s ribcage, causing it to let go of Alaska and focus on him.
“That’s when the cat rolled over on its back and went ‘raaaawr’ right at me,” he said.
Payne said the big cat then took off back to the marsh, while his dog ran home.
He suffered minor lacerations on his legs, and Alaska is also recovering from her injuries.
Alaska’s injuries are shown. (Submitted)
“We just did, pretty much did first aid with the things we had, which were gauze and duct tape,” he said, adding he stayed up all night taking care of his dog.
Officers and a canine handler are now in the area to track down the cougar.
“We are asking people to stay away from the area and nearby trails,” the service said.
Payne says his major concern is that there were kids between five and 11 years old who were playing in the same area just an hour before.
Pet owners are being urged to keep their animals on a leash and be aware of their surroundings while outside.
Anyone who encounters a cougar that shows interest or follows them should respond aggressively, maintain eye contact, show their teeth, make loud noise and make themselves as large as possible. Never turn your back on a cougar as sudden movement could provoke an attack.
Anyone in the area who spots a cougar is asked to call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.
With files from CHEK’s Kori Sidaway.
CHEK News
