Cougar killed 'due to public risk' in New Westminster, B.C.

A cougar has been killed after it was spotted in New Westminster's Glenbrook neighbourhoodon Saturday night.

The New Westminster Police Departmentwouldn't confirm reports thatthe big cat was shot by its officers, but the departmentposted to social media that the animal was dead.

The decision to kill the animal caused both outrage and relieffrom different people in the neighbourhood after the initial call came in that the animal was prowling during peak trick-or-treating hours.

Several mothers lauded the officers for making a "tough choice," to move in fast and remove the potential threat, while others decried the killing as "sad" and disrespectful to wildlife.

Police confirmed the cougar was killed in the 300-block of Alberta Street just after 10 p.m.Saturday.

News of the animal's death drew a quick response on social media.