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© Deborah PfeifferJazz, a Border Collie cross, survived a cougar attack
A Penticton couple is grateful their dog is on the mend after it was attacked by a cougar outside their home this week.

Jazz, a Border Collie cross, suffered injuries ranging from puncture wounds to his head and scratches following the encounter with the large animal, Wednesday.

"It was a scary experience, and we are just glad the dog is OK," said Marylin Barnay.

According to Barnay, a vineyard owner on Upper Bench Road, her husband let Jazz out around 7:20 a.m. When she went to call him in, she saw him do an about turn and go behind the hedge.

Then, all of a sudden, he was back, with a large animal following him.

"It immediately put its mouth around our dog's head, and I could tell it was a cougar right away," she said. "I started screaming it's a cougar, and it's going to kill our dog. It was awful to see."

Her husband John Barnay grabbed a snow shovel and headed toward Jazz.

"I was going to club the animal, when I realized it was a cougar," he said. "So I banged the shovel, did an about face and ran up the steps. I turned around and looked and it was gone."

They got the dog inside, and after noticing the extent of his injuries took him to the vet.

The couple see coyotes and deer in the dozens, but this is their first experience with a big cougar.

"It looked enormous to me. Its head was the size of a basketball," said Barnay

The couple called a conservation officer, who came out to get information. But by that time the cougar was long gone.

They also contacted as many neighbours as they could.

"We phoned everyone we could think of, because there are families here with small children," said John. "We just wanted to get the word out to our neighbours on Campbell Mountain, this had happened."

As of Friday, Jazz had perked up to the point where he was wagging his tail and playing with a ball in the backyard.

Barnay said another part of the story, is residents are lucky to have such good veterinarians available in the valley.

Conversation officers say the cougar could not be located and would like to warn the public that the animal is still loose in the area, and to report it if they see it.

Source: Penticton News