The Seattle Cougar Attack Isn't A Reason To Blame Animals For Animal Attacks
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

The Seattle Cougar Attack Isn't A Reason To Blame Animals For Animal Attacks

Is it right to kill animals just because they wanted to survive?

98
The Seattle Cougar Attack Isn't A Reason To Blame Animals For Animal Attacks
Flickr Creative Commons

Animal attacks are never something you want to hear about. Whether it be an isolated incident or a commonality in another part of the world, it's tragic to hear a life was lost.

In Seattle, Washington two cyclists found themselves face to face with a cougar, more commonly known as a mountain lion. This encounter was out of the ordinary for the area and the outcome was even more surprising. A 32-year-old male lost his life when attacked by the cougar and dragged back to its den.

The other cyclist, a 34-year-old male, was injured but managed to get on his bike and find a phone to call 911; after which he was taken to the hospital and was treated for his injuries.

Officers later tracked the cougar and killed it. This decision was not questioned by very many people, as the animal was now "dangerous." However, if these animals are so dangerous, why do we allow some of them to roam freely in populated areas?

It is reported that around 2,000 cougars roam Washington freely. Attacks from these animals are rare, however, with only 25 fatal attacks in the last century.

When faced with a cougar, there are a couple guidelines you are meant to follow. The first being that you should not instigate it. Don't throw things at it and don't taunt it. The second thing you should remember is that you should be backing away slowly from the cougar. Do not turn your back and don't move quickly. The last and most important guideline is that you need to be loud and be big. Make as much noise as possible and don't bend down. Make yourself as big and tall as you can.

When these two men were faced with this cougar, they reportedly were trying their best to spook the cougar away. In fact, they swung a bicycle at it, which caused it to run off into the woods and subsequently attack.

Another important fact about the attack that is being ignored is that the cougar was most likely starving. The cougar was reported to be 100 pounds, which is nearly 80 pounds underweight.

This fact really means one of two things. Either this cougar was not able to find anything to eat and was starving due to lack of availability of food, or the cougar was unable to hunt most prey for an unknown reason. However, due to the fact it did indeed hunt in its final moments, the latter seems unlikely.

These possibilities bring us back to the main problem, which is allowing cougars to roam freely in populated areas. The only thing this accomplishes is man's need to hunt. Washington allows 250 of their 2,000 cougars to be hunted; which can be assumed as being the main reason they have not been released in the wild, where no attacks would happen.

Cougars are allowed to roam freely in Washington, even though they are predators. However, we kill them when they act like predators.

This cougar was killed for doing exactly what its done for all time and according to County Sheriff Sgt. Ryan Abbott, "something was wrong with this cougar."

The best thing we can do for these animals is to release them to an area where there aren't people because all we tend to do is kill anything we have a small problem with and cougar's, by nature, are predators.

As cougars are protected in Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica and many other countries, America can take extra steps to take care of these animals.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56059
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36108
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958079
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

187518
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments