A cougar has been killed after it was spotted in New Westminster's Glenbrook neighbourhood on Saturday night.

The New Westminster Police Department wouldn't confirm reports that the big cat was shot by its officers, but the department posted to social media that the animal was dead.

The decision to kill the animal caused both outrage and relief from different people in the neighbourhood after the initial call came in that the animal was prowling during peak trick-or-treating hours.

Several mothers lauded the officers for making a "tough choice," to move in fast and remove the potential threat, while others decried the killing as "sad" and disrespectful to wildlife.

We were able to locate the cougar blocks from where it was first spotted. Unfortunately due to public risk it had to be destroyed. —@NewWestPD

Police confirmed the cougar was killed in the 300-block of Alberta Street just after 10 p.m. Saturday.

New Westminster police confirm the cat was killed on Alberta Street at about 10 p.m. PT Saturday night, after most trick-or-treaters had gone home. (W Kinna)

News of the animal's death drew a quick response on social media.

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nobrains?src=hash">#nobrains</a> disguised in uniform showing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/arrogance?src=hash">#arrogance</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/norespect?src=hash">#norespect</a> to an animal we displaced. <a href="https://t.co/yai6nQ2WJr">https://t.co/yai6nQ2WJr</a> —@Carolyn45651758

<a href="https://twitter.com/NewWestPD">@NewWestPD</a> Thanks for the fast professional response from your Members tonight They made a tough choice but the right one to protect Newwest —@eastvancity

Also, thanks to the <a href="https://twitter.com/NewWestPD">@NewWestPD</a> officer who stopped our boys to wish them happy Halloween and gave them a treat. Thanks, it means a lot. —@jenarbo