Cougar spotted in Brooks, Alberta

RCMP have issued a public alert after acougar 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 cougarthat they surprised after rounding a street corner.

Back in 2007,a family in Canmore was 'stalked' by a cougaroutside their home one night after the family dog was attacked and apark in Fort Macleod, which is north of Lethbridge, wasclosed temporarilyfollowing a cougar sighting.