Cougar swipes at dog near Coquitlam Crunch, says B.C. Conservation Officer Service

B.C. conservation officers are patrolling a popular hiking trail in Coquitlamafter a dog was injured by a cougar Friday morning.

In a written statement, the Conservation Officer Service said a hiker with a dog first spotted the cougar in the grass near the Coquitlam Crunch trail.

The hiker's dogwas off-leash. It approached the cougar, which then swiped at the dog and chased it in the direction of people on the trail before leaving the area.

The servicesaid the dog got stitches and is recovering.

Coquitlam RCMPsaid it received several calls around 11:30 a.m. that a cougar was seen crossing the trail in the Panorama Road and Eagle Mountain Drive area.

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service confirmedthis is the same area where a black bear tapped a jogger two weeks ago.

The servicesays the trail remains open while it investigates.It asksthe public to report any sightings to the RAPP line.