‘I punted him:’ Nanaimo area woman kicks cougar to protect goat

Moore sprang into action.

“It was just an adrenaline moment. I wasn’t going to lose my goat. He (cougar) ended up being in the perfect position with his back to me when I walked into the stall, and I punted him,” Moore told NanaimoNewsNOW.

A tense brief exchange then followed after Moore booted the cougar in the stomach.

“He turned around, looked at me, and that was the moment where I was like ‘oh sh*t, what is he going to do.’ He ran to the paddock; I think I knocked the wind out of him because he was fumbling for a few steps. Then he sat down in the corner of the paddock for maybe 15 seconds before he jumped the chain-linked fence.”

Minor lacerations on Donnie’s face are healing, while he’s still in shock and refuses to leave the barn, Moore said.

Facial cuts resulted from the cougar’s punctures to a goat south of Nanaimo. (Image Credit: Gina Moore/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The incident was captured on surveillance video, which is owned by an independent third party, but widely circulated on social media.

Having lived on the property since 2002, Moore said sightings of bears and elk in particular have increased substantially over the past few years.

Last year, Moore’s beloved longtime miniature horse was killed after she said a black bear pulled the pony from its stall.

“She’s probably the one thing I was thinking about when I kicked the cougar because I wasn’t about to lose another animal…after my heartbreak last year, I didn’t want that to happen again.”

Moore said she reported the incident to the BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS).

She’s heard other incidents of cougars interacting with livestock and domestic pets in the region, including two goats slaughtered by a cougar in Cassidy recently.

NanaimoNewsNOW reported a cougar was suspected in several livestock deaths in the Parksville area in April.

Moore has heightened vigilance now during the day watching her livestock and pets, but said ensuring their safety and happiness can be tricky.

Her goats would be miserable being locked up all day.

“It’s a balance, and you have to be smart about it. I think the most important thing with all livestock is have them locked up in a predator-proof barn before dark because that’s usually when things hit, is right at dusk.”

Livestock owners are strongly encouraged by the BCCOS to secure animals in enclosed structures such as barns or outbuildings during nighttime hours.

Any human/wildlife conflicts can be reported using the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

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by Ian Holmes

‘I punted him:’ Nanaimo area woman kicks cougar to protect goat

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