PORT HARDY - A North Island neighbourhood is on edge after learning a large cougar is stalking house cats.
Marian Minar took this video after he spotted the healthy-looking cougar sitting still in his backyard and staring down a neighbour’s house cat around 7:30 p.m. Thursday on Carnarvon Place, on the outskirts of Port Hardy.
“I was stunned for a couple of seconds, and then I made sure that my kids were busy doing other things while I picked up my phone.” Marian says he called 911 right away, and then called neighbours to warn them, since many living in the area have young kids and pets.
The closest conservation officer was in Campbell River and couldn’t travel to Port Hardy, but said the cougar is likely hunting house cats in the neighbourhood.
This one in the stare down belongs to Danna Griffiths who lives three doors down from Marian.
“Normally when we see cougars in the area they bolt, but this one didn’t, it’s unpredictable.” She saw the same cougar again Friday morning around 3 a.m.
Danna has three young children, two dogs and the cat, which belongs to her 8-year-old daughter. She says her kids are all bear and cougar smart since they live along the tree line. Her and Marian’s properties back on to a large forested area.
She says she’s heard that house cats on the nearby Mayors Way have been disappearing over the past month.
Danna says the conversation officer told her he will be making a trip to Port Hardy on Sunday, and may set up traps in the area. In the meantime, her family is staying inside, and is taking every precaution when taking the dogs out for a walk.
CTV News has reached out to the conservation service for comment, which has not yet responded.
