A rural resident less than 20 kilometres north of Cochrane on Horse Creek Rd. is sounding the alarm over a dangerous predator she believes has been killing livestock in the area since the late summer.
From evidence she has collected, Kelly Holmes believes a large predator killed four full-size cows late this summer, and more recently, a Jersey cow and their rodeo horse Bucky. She believes there may have been another recent attack on a nearby ranch.
Holmes is strongly encouraging rural residents in the area to take precautionary measures for their livestock, pets and family members.
"If you can, bring your animals inside at night. Don't leave your dogs out and take precautions," she says. "All I'm doing is warning people. I don't want any more animals killed. I want to give a loud and clear warning to the public."
When their family returned home on Sept. 30 in the early afternoon after a brief time away, they instantly knew something was wrong when Bucky wasn't within his catchment area and their other horses were restless.
She quickly rode another horse in search of Bucky and discovered what little remained of the 1,000 lb. horse deeper in their acreage. It was entirely stripped to the bone and believed to have been consumed in a 24-hour window by multiple predators. No attempt was made by the predator/s to move or bury the horse.
Two days later, their neighbourhood's Jersey nursing cow was killed in close proximity to their home in the cover of darkness.
A wildlife safety expert with 34 years' experience volunteered to investigate the killing of both Bucky and the Jersey. Holmes says he has concluded both were attacked by a predator with the same killer profile. He's also concluded they weren't due to an attack by a cougar or pack of wolves.
DNA testing is being completed in hopes of revealing the predator responsible for Bucky's demise. A necropsy is also being completed on Bucky's remains.
Bucky was no ordinary horse, says Holmes.
"He was a super athlete, national level breakaway roping horse, a babysitter, a best friend, a sweetheart, and a character who was deeply loved and is greatly missed by the many kids he blessed by teaching them how to rope."
She says the predator has since returned to their property, and they've moved their remaining four horses in southern Alberta out of fear for their lives.
Unsatisfied with what's occurred to date, Holmes has contacted government officials seeking immediate action to remedy the situation.
