On Saturday, a young boy was playing at a local park when he was attacked by a cougar. It happened in Leavenworth, Washington at Enchantment Park. Fortunately, the family had dogs with them who were able to stop the attack.
“The cougar came out and did attack the child,” WDFW Capt. Michael Jewell told The Spokesman-Review. “They had some dogs with them that they turned loose. The dogs intervened and were able to successfully chase the cougar away.”
The boy only sustained minor injuries.
Cougar attack at the Enchantment park in Leavenworth. Young child escaped serious injury when a cougar attempted to attack. Fish & Wildlife with local agencies at the scene. Updates to follow. Until then stay away from the area. -Tpr. Weber pic.twitter.com/OATgfr6v5I
— Trooper John Bryant (@wspd6pio) June 2, 2019
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the cat had been spotted in the park earlier in the day displaying “abnormal behavior”. WDFW conducted a search but was unable to find it. They closed the park with the intention of returning with tracking dogs the next day.
Once the child was attacked, WDFW immediately resumed the search. The cougar was located around 1:30 AM and euthanized by officers.
Local photo taken of the cougar still at large taken by a local resident. Fish & Wildlife still tracking. Updates to follow. -Tpr. Weber pic.twitter.com/kYfGXwiFCg
— Trooper John Bryant (@wspd6pio) June 2, 2019
WDFW says upon initial visual inspection, the cat seems healthy. Additional testing will be done to determine the cat’s condition.
This report comes just a week after another boy was attacked in California. The 4-year-old escaped with minor injuries. That cat in this incident was also seemingly healthy and had an “abnormal” tolerance of humans.
Many people from both incidents have expressed anger that the cats were put down. What do you think should be done in situations where a predator attacks a human?
