Calgary, Alberta (ANTARA News) – A Canadian man punched a cougar near a fast food restaurant in Whitecourt, central Alberta, Canada, to stop the mountain lion from attacking his dog, it was announced Wednesday the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
William Gibb (31) is from Red Deer, Alberta, and was stopping at a Tim Hortons branch on Monday evening during his 600 kilometer trip to Grand Prairie. Tim Hortons is one of the most popular fast food chains in Canada.
Gibb took his dog for a walk, said White Court RCMP Sergeant Tom Kalis.
Soon after, Gibb heard his Husky dog, named Sasha, howling. Gibb sees Sasha tackled to the ground by a cougar.
“I saw something covering (Sasha) and I didn't know what (animal) it was. I ran and maybe hit the (animal's) head and it- “It (the animal) backed away. Then I found out that the animal “It was a puma,” Gibb, who works as an electrician, told Reuters.
“I was standing over Sasha, chasing and yelling at the (cougar) and screaming for help from my brothers and friends,” he added.
Gibb managed to drive the mountain lion away. However, he said, the cougar tried to attack him several times when he approached his injured dog and called police.
Gibb then transported Sasha to a van and took her for medical treatment.
He said the police arrived five or ten minutes later. After consulting with Fish and Wildlife officials, authorities killed the cougar because there were concerns it might attack other dogs, or even humans.
Gibb himself was not seriously injured, although his hand was bitten by Sasha as he tried to save his 80-pound dog.
Sergeant Kalis said mountain lion sightings in Whitecourt were not unusual because the town is surrounded by forest. However, incidents of mountain lions attacking dogs are unusual.
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