This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.
Protect citizens over predators
I grew up on our land in the 1950s and ‘60s riding horses and helping my Grandfather with his cows that pastured here with never a cougar confrontation. This continued in the 1970’s with my husband. In the 1980s and ‘90s our children roamed this area, sometimes camping as far away as a mile or more from our house with never a cougar confrontation. In the beginning of the 2000’s our grandchildren continued enjoying the land without cougar confrontations.
But, because of the WDFW’s mismanagement of cougars and the introduction of wolves, it is no longer safe!
Our granddaughters’ three 4-H pigs were killed by a cougar. Three of my horses have been attacked by cougars. My cousin’s donkey was killed by a cougar. And, we now have virtually no deer left.
It is time to stop hazing and collaring the cougars to study them. Reduce their numbers. Control their population.
Protect the citizens, not the predators!
Oly Burnett
Chewelah