Video: Cougar kills pet alpaca

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EATONVILLE, Wash. – A cougar sighted around Eatonville for the past few months made its first-known killing last Saturday when it attacked and killed a pet alpaca.

Bill Fitzer has been keeping a close eye on his two goats for the last four days ever since a cougar struck.

"The cougar had grabbed the alpaca and had already killed him. He had bitten the back of his neck and was trying to pack him over the fence," he described.

It happened in the gated area in Fitzer's yard. And even though Aidan, the alpaca, weighed 175 pounds, wildlife officials say the cougar could have easily hauled it over the fence and down the hill.

The family says they've lost a loving pet.

Neighbors say cougars are part of living in this rural area, but they are taking measures for protection.

"We keep the animals close on the deck on the other side of the house now," said neighbor Bill Culliton.

"Willie don't ride his bike to school anymore. We take him to school just because of that, because he rides through the bushes down here," said Chris Harris, another neighbor.

Now Fitzer locks his goats in a small barn every night. He says his daughter scared off the cougar by repeatedly honking the horn on her car.

Fish and Wildlife agents tried to track the cougar Tuesday and they found its den, but they did not find the cat.