Twenty-year-old Justine Black of Quesnel wasn't expecting to be chased by a cougar when she took her border collie/blue heeler, Zoe for a walk on Saturday, but that's what happened.
Around 9:30 a.m. Black was riding her mom's moped in a large, open field surrounded by heavy brush and a network of trails. As usual, Zoe trotted behind.
Black glanced behind and saw Zoe sniffing around, but soon after, the dog zoomed past the moped. Black looked back again and saw a cougar running toward her. She instinctively hit the throttle and took off.
After 50 yards, she stopped, turned around, and saw the animal standing in the middle of the field. It apparently abandoned pursuit.
"I've taken Zoe through that field numerous times, and I've never seen cougars, bears, or anything," said Black.
Once home, she reported the incident to a conservation officer. There have been other cougar sightings in the area due to a nearby garbage dump.
When asked if she'll return to the field or trails anytime soon, Black replied "not by myself, not for awhile."
See more in The Citizen.
