FERNDALE, Wash. (AP) — A cougar killed a dairy cow in Whatcom County over the weekend in a rare instance of a cougar attack on livestock.
The Bellingham Herald reports the cow was found dead on Saturday with bite marks on its hide at a small dairy farm west of Ferndale.
State Fish & Wildlife Sgt. Brian Fairbanks says the isolated attack is puzzling for a few reason. Cougar attacks are rare in the region, but it's very unusual to have an attack west of Interstate 5.
This is only the second time in his 15-year career in wildlife law enforcement that Fairbanks has seen a full-grown cow killed by a cougar.
Just in case the cat continues to prowl the area, Fish & Wildlife officers have set up a large spring-loaded cougar trap. They will relocate the animal if it sticks around.
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Information from: The Bellingham Herald, http://www.bellinghamherald.com