Cougar that attacked alpacas shot, killed near Spokane

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – Officials say authorities have shot and killed a young male cougar that attacked and killed at least eight alpacas northwest of Spokane sometime Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

The Spokesman-Review reports a nearby llama also died, possibly of stress from the attack.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials responded Wednesday to the area near Riverside State Park.

Dogs tracked the cougar and a state shooter killed the 135-pound animal.

Fish and Wildlife conflict specialist Kile Westerman says no other cougars were spotted on a camera placed in the area, leading officials to believe the young male was solely responsible for the attack.

Westerman says the state will not reimburse the owner of the alpacas because guidelines say commercial producers are only eligible for reimbursement from a cougar attack if they lose horses, cattle, sheep or guard dogs.

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Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com