A recent cougar attack has left a rural family southwest of Calgary shaken and on high alert. The incident, which marks the second such attack in Foothills County in just two weeks, occurred on Sunday evening at the Millarville property of Rebecca Singer Strasser.
According to Singer Strasser, the attack happened around 7:45 p.m. as she was putting her children to bed. Her husband had just let the family dogs out onto their driveway when they heard one of the dogs screaming. Rushing to the scene with their other dog, they discovered a cougar mauling their Scottish terrier, Wednesday.
Security camera footage captured the harrowing event. “The dog had severe lacerations along her side and injuries to her ear and neck,” said Singer Strasser. “She was covered in blood and clearly in shock.”
Fortunately, the couple’s five-month-old German wirehaired pointer, Archie, along with Singer Strasser’s husband, managed to drive the cougar away. They quickly transported Wednesday to a local veterinarian, where she was treated overnight for her injuries.
Approximately 30 minutes after the initial attack, the cougar returned and circled the area. Jakob, Singer Strasser’s husband, fired a warning shot from a shotgun, causing the animal to flee.
This attack follows a similar incident from two weeks ago, when a cougar killed a pet cat near another rural property in the area.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife officials are investigating both cases. For Singer Strasser, these incidents have prompted serious concerns about her family’s safety. “I used to allow my kids to play outside unsupervised, but after this, that will no longer be an option,” she stated.
The increase in cougar sightings and encounters has been noticeable, according to Singer Strasser. “There seems to be more cougar activity in recent years, though it’s unclear if that’s due to a rise in their numbers or improvements in detection technology.”
In response to the recent attacks, Singer Strasser plans to enhance security measures on her property, including acquiring larger dogs and installing additional surveillance cameras. Despite the dangers, she acknowledges that such risks are part of rural living.
By Thursday, Wednesday was showing signs of recovery, though she remained visibly injured. The family remains vigilant, hoping their precautions will help prevent future incidents.
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