Cougar stalked 2-year-old boy before and after attack

The cougar that attacked a two-year-old near Missionon Monday was likely stalking the boy before the attackand pursued him afterwards, according to a conservation officer.

"The cougar followed them to the parking lot and would not leave," said Sgt. Todd Hunter with the B.C. Conservation Service.

"Once they focus in on a prey and attack, they are all in." he said.

The group two children and a woman were heading down a trail toward the parking lot in Cascade Falls Park near Mission, B.C., late Monday afternoon when the attackhappened.

The boy suffered a puncture wound to his arm, as well as some scratches to his back but wasn't hospitalized.

Witness heard yelling coming from the trail

The woman made loud noises to fend off the cougar during the attack. A witness in the parking lot heard the yelling and watched as the cougar "persisted down the trail after them" according to Hunter. The witness chasedthecougar off into the bushes with their vehicle.

Hunter said the cougar was likely a young juvenile that hasn't yet honed its abilities to prey and hunt.

Off-leash dogs are known to be a problem too, according to Hunter, because they canprovoke wildlife.

"We have seen it before, especially on attacks on children, that a dog has been nearby," he said

Cougars are carnivorous and usually hunt deer. Theystalk an animal and then use aseries of bounds to leap on their prey. Using both theirsharp claws and powerful jaws they can quickly kill most prey, according to WildSafeBC.

"The best thing to do before going out in the woods or even in your backyard in British Columbia is expect to have an encounter with wildlife and know what to do.It can happen anywhere," said Hunter.

If you encounter a cougar, WildSafeBC suggests you keep calm, make yourself look as large as possible and back away slowly, Never run or turn your back becausesudden movements may provoke an attack.

"Cougars how they make their living isby running prey," said Hunter.

Cascade Falls Park remains closed as officers investigate.