Conservation officers are telling people to keep their children and pets inside at night as a cougar prowls a rural area of Maple Ridge, east of Vancouver.
The animal is responsible for killing seven animals in the last 11 days, including a miniature horse on Sunday.
Conservation officers attended the farm on Monday, laying out traps in its hunting ground in case the cougar returns.
"We have to wait and see if the cat shows up. [It] could be a few days," conservation officer Paul McFadden said, adding that the same farm has lost other animals in the past.
"It's not uncommon but it's unfortunate that people are losing livestock right now."
The B.C. Conservation Service has told local residents not to let their pets or children outside between dusk and dawn because this is the time when the animals are most likely to hunt.
Area resident Peter Christensen told CTV News he's not surprised by the warning and that wildlife is often seen in the area.
"We have bear wander through here weekly, coyotes and, of course, the odd cougar," he said.
Down the road, Rick Atwell told CTV News he probably won't be letting his dog out at night anymore.
"Every couple of years they come out of the bush and down here. It happens so you just kind of have to watch out for it," he said.
The community was also on guard for cougars last summer, when another animal was loose. Last fall, a cougar was destroyed after 11 sheep were killed on a Chilliwack farm.
There have been no reports of the cougar attacking humans but police say there is a genuine cause for concern.
"This type of animal is very unpredictable," Insp. Derren Lench said.
Anyone who sees the animal is urged to call B.C. Conservation Service.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber
