CALGARY- Jonathan Denis, Alberta’s Minister of Justice and Solicitor General has ordered a review of the decision to shoot and kill a cougar spotted near the South Health Campus Thursday morning.
“I just want to make sure that proper practices were followed. Of course we have to look at human safety but also the welfare of animals,” Denis said. “That’s why I’ve ordered a review in it.”
Before the cougar was removed from the area, Fish and Wildlife Officers say they had no choice but to shoot and kill the cougar.
“I want people to have every confidence that their law enforcement is accountable,” Denis said. “When people express concern I want there to be an open and transparent process.”
Gordon Griffiths, a witness said Fish and Wildlife showed up and came in very fast to get the cougar out in the open so that they could tranquilize it.
“They did take their first shot with a tranquilizer,” adds Griffiths. “It obviously was hit, because it rolled. But then it got up and went towards them – and at that point they had to shoot it.”
Alberta Fish and Wildlife, however, said the cougar was never tranquilized.
Officials shut down a section of road near the South Health Campus around 7 a.m. after the big cat was spotted by the south entrance.
Around the same time, police closed down a construction site the 3000 block of Market Street S.E., after a cougar was reported in a stairwell that was under construction.
Wildlife officers were called in to help find and contain the animals.
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