Calgary

Cougar spotted in Brooks, Alberta

RCMP have issued a public alert after a cougar was been spotted in the Westland Acres area of Brooks.
Brooks RCMP is warning the public after a cougar was sighted in the Westland Acres area. (Bill DeBord/AP)

RCMP have issued a public alert after a cougar was been spotted in the Westland Acres area of Brooks.

Brooks RCMP is advising people in the area to keep pets and children close by.

Brooks RCMP is seeking tips on the location of the cougar, and would like members of the public to call the 24-hour complaint line at (403) 362-5535 if the animal is spotted.

Under no circumstances should anyone approach a cougar, the police service said.

Brooks is approximately 200 kilometres southeast of Calgary, along Highway 1 towards Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Sightings common, attacks rare

Cougar sightings are common in southern Alberta and only rarely turn into something more, but attacks do happen.

Two weeks ago, a cougar was euthanized after it attacked a dog  in Canmore.

In February, two girls in Turner Valley, which is 30 kilometres southwest of Calgary, were briefly chased by a cougar that they surprised after rounding a street corner.

Back in 2007, a family in Canmore was 'stalked' by a cougar outside their home one night after the family dog was attacked and a park in Fort Macleod, which is north of Lethbridge, was closed temporarily following a cougar sighting.