A B.C. Mountie is tending to a bruised shoulder after going toe-to-hoof with a fellow icon of Canadian culture Thursday morning.
The Prince George RCMP officer was typing a report in his parked police cruiser at around 1 a.m. when he spotted two moose crossing a nearby intersection.
“The officer also observed an oncoming vehicle coming towards them,” Cpl. Craig Douglass told CTV News. “He pulled his vehicle forward to intercept the vehicle and ensure the moose were okay.”
That was a mistake.
One of the animals attacked the cruiser, breaking the front grill and bumper before climbing on top of the car. The moose’s hooves broke the windshield and left dents on the roof and hood.
“It was stomping and kicking on the roof and one of the hooves slipped off and broke the driver’s side window, striking the officer,” Douglass said.
“The moose got its footing, or its hoofing I guess, and continued off the trunk of the vehicle.”
The officer suffered a bruised left shoulder, but did not need medical attention. Authorities said he completed his shift and went home to recuperate.
The animals, described by Mounties as “culprit” and “accomplice,” left the scene.
The RCMP says the incident serves as a reminder to the public to keep a safe distance from wild animals.
“Although they are likely more scared of people than we are of them, we believe our officer would disagree,” the Prince George detachment said in a statement.
