A 10-year-old boy is lucky to have escaped serious injury after a cougar attack northwest of Lillooet.
Conservation Officer Service said the attack happened Monday afternoon outside a remote family cabin near Marshall Lake.
Two women and four children – ranging in age from 10 to 13 – were walking along a trail when the boy ran ahead.
A cougar suddenly dropped out of a tree and swiped at the boy, knocked him down, and scratched the boy’s back and chest.
Meanwhile, a Border Collie with the group jumped on the cougar’s back while the group started screaming and throwing rocks and sticks.
The cougar ran away.
A nearby road worker helped administer first aid and the boy was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Conservation Officers are working to track down the cougar as the investigation continues.
While cougar attacks are rare, Conservation Officers urge anyone venturing into the backcountry to be prepared in case of any wildlife encounters.
