A child under 10 years of age was mauled by one or more cougars in a Lake Cowichan subdivision the mayor described as being "basically at the centre of town."

Cpl. Chris Manseau of the RCMP said police and conservation officers were alerted to the mauling at approximately 3:30 p.m. PT. on Friday.

The B.C. Ambulance Service said the child was airlifted to hospital in serious condition.

Inspector Ben York with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service said the injuries were to the child's head, neck and arms. He added officers believe two or more cougars may have attacked the child.

Attack in downtown area

Mayor Rod Peters said he and his grandson witnessed conservation officers shoot two cougars at around 5:45 p.m.

He said they may still be looking for a third.

"I heard 'em shoot the first one and then the second ran towards us, towards the bush and into a swampy area," Peters said.

"They let the cougar hounds go and then the conservation officers shot it, dragged it out."

Peters described the animals as quite small, possibly a year old.

He said the attack is unusual because it happened in a subdivision near the lake called Point Ideal, "just basically at the centre of town."

Cougars sightings in the community, he said, are not unheard of.