A cougar ended up in handcuffs last weekend in Maple Ridge.
RCMP say they were called on the afternoon of Feb. 13 for a report of a cougar in the backyard of a home at the 11800 block of 230th Street.
Due to the dense population of the neighbourhood, with many people out enjoying the sun in their backyards, conservation officers feared the high likelihood that the big cat may need to be euthanized.
Instead, RCMP secured the surrounding area and residents stayed inside their homes while conservation officers tranquilized the cougar.
Handcuffs were used to detain the cougar until conservation officers could secure the animal for relocation to another area.
"Thank you to all the residents who stayed inside and assisted with the best possible outcome for this animal," states Sgt. Hiesler.
"We certainly did not want to see this beautiful creature euthanized and so, due to the public’s assistance, the cougar was able to be relocated safely."
