The cougar that haunted New Westminster’s streets on Halloween night has been shot and killed.
As trick-or-treaters took to the streets on Saturday night, New Westminster police officers were driving the streets of the Glenbrook area warning folks that the large wildcat had been spotted on the streets.
Residents in the area of the Canada Games Pool and the streets of upper Sapperton reported a quieter-than-usual beginning of the Halloween evening, as families opted to trick-or-treat elsewhere.
Meanwhile, New Westminster police officers – aided by reported sightings by residents – kept their eyes open for the prowling cat.
Sightings were reported on Twitter throughout the evening, including one noting that the large cougar had been seen in the alley between Alberta and Strand.
By about midnight, the news was made official.
“We were able to locate the cougar blocks from where it was first spotted,” police reported on Twitter. “Unfortunately due to public risk it had to be destroyed.”
Police thanked all residents who had called in to assist, noting that it was a “sad ending” to the cougar’s saga.
“The risk to the public was just too significant,” they said.
Watch for more followup to this story.
