A family in Saanich says their pet dog was attacked and is coming forward after no information was released to the public.
On Aug. 19, the Regehrs nearly lost their family dog, Poppy, while taking her out to the bathroom in the evening. It was then that Chris Regehr heard screaming.
“I was terrified because it sounded like she was being attacked or mutilated, I didn’t know. Scrambled to get the light on my phone to work, and when I did, I saw this golden-coloured body, and under it, I heard the yelps of my dog,” said Regehr.
Regehr says Poppy was attacked by a cougar that had made it into his backyard. When he saw the cougar, he was able to scare off the animal. Poppy was later found hiding under a chair with severe injuries.
“Had some punctures and some scratches, and a broken tooth and a hurt arm,” he said.
Saanich police attended the scene for an unconfirmed cougar attack. The department says they notified the BC Conservation Officer Service that same evening.
The family, however, is upset that no information on the attack was publicly given. They live just steps away from Playfair Park, which had a cougar sighting nearby in early August.
“If I was the parent of a small child, I would have some concern,” said the father.
CHEK News reached out to COS for more information on the incident but did not hear back in time for deadline.
“I’m not meaning to be critical of conservation necessarily, and I think they have a balancing act, but I think in this case, the public has the right to know,” said Regehr.
Saanich Police say there have not been any reported cougar incidents since Aug. 19.
Poppy is expected to fully recover, but the family says they’ll have to get surgery for her broken tooth.
“I think we’re just incredibly lucky,” added Regehr.
Oli Herrera
