A Fish and Wildlife officer has shot two cougars in Canmore after two dogs were killed in the past few days — one on the Silvertip golf course and another in the backyard of a residence less than 400 metres away.

Around 6 a.m. Sunday, authorities were called about a cougar attack at a residence in the Blue Grouse area, which backs on to a wooded area.

“Folks were letting their dog out in the backyard to use the bathroom and they all of a sudden heard the dog screaming, and sounds of a struggle,” said Const. Kristopher Kohalmi with the Canmore RCMP. “They saw the cougar carrying their dog away.

“It had killed the dog.”

Kohalmi said he showed up with an officer from Alberta Fish and Wildlife, Dave Dickson.

Dickson could not be reached for comment, but the constable said the Fish and Wildlife officer was able to track the cougar to another person’s residence and shot it. He then returned to deal with the dog and found another cougar, which was also killed.

“Fish and Wildlife told me they were displaying more aggressive signs, they were more used to humans so they had to be put down,” said Kohalmi.

A spokesman with the province, Brendan Cox, said cougars are typically shy of humans, but the cougar that pounced on the dog stood her ground even as the officer approached.

Both animals have been spotted on residents’ properties, he said.

“They’re showing signs that they’re looking to pets for food, which is rare but concerning,” Cox said.

Sunday’s incident comes three days after a warning was posted at Silvertip Resort.

On Thursday afternoon, a cougar killed a dog after it apparently ran after a squirrel on the golf course and surprised the animal in the woods.

The incidents have set off a debate among the town’s residents about living with wildlife.

Kim Titchener, who runs Bow Valley Wildsmart — a Canmore-based organization that works to educate people about how to live with wildlife — said it’s rare for a cougar to go on to someone’s back deck.

“It’s sad to hear that another dog has lost its life, but this could have just as easily been a child,” she said. “It sounds scary, but the reality is we have cougars living in the Bow Valley.”

She said it’s important not to place blame in the incidents.

“I know a lot of people are really upset about what happened earlier this week,” said Titchener, noting she hopes people realize the severity of the situation. “I would hate to see people place blame on an officer. He was in a life-or-death situation.”

Should you encounter a cougar, experts suggest picking up children and pets, not turning your back, maintaining eye contact and making yourself as large as possible.

Don’t run, because it could trigger an attack. Instead, they suggest backing away slowly.

Officials encourage pet owners to leash their dogs while out for walks, and to keep a close eye on their pets when they let them outside. Anyone with concerns can call the 24-hour report-a-poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.

With files from Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald

cho@calgaryherald.com