Cougar sighting puts elementary school under hold and secure order

An elementary school in Coquitlamwasin a hold and secure situation Thursday after a cougar sighting in the morning.

Const. Deanna Law with Coquitlam RCMP said officers were called to Eagle Ridge Elementary School just after 10 a.m. PT after someone reported an injured deer.

Law said no one from the Conservation Officer Service was available to check it out, so police went instead.

While in the area, officers were told that a cougar had been seen in the area. Police then told the school to initiatea "hold and secure" procedureat 10:30 a.m.

Police have since lifted the hold and secure, Law said, but the school, as of 12:30 p.m., was keeping it in place on its own accord, as an extra precaution.

The Ministry of Education describes a hold and secure as when "exterior doors are locked and monitored to allow students and staff to enter but otherwise the doors remain locked. Once inside, no one leaves the building."

Law said officers did not actually see the cougar.

Several cougar incidents have been reported in Coquitlam in recent days including attacks on pets and the stalking of a teenager.