Amy Carey’s article about living with wildlife was very hurtful, particularly to the “handful” of us who have lost beloved animals to the various predators on Vashon (“Take action to protect animals: Install good fences and be mindful of pets,” March 1).

First of all, we are not a “handful”; we are very numerous. Calling us a handful is dismissive and arrogant. Secondly, most of us are extremely mindful livestock and pet owners. We have good fences and are attentive to the needs of the animals we love and care for. Blaming us for poor management is cruel. The Washington State website Living with Wildlife states cougars can jump fences up to 15-feet high, something beyond the attainment of any individual. Amy’s article addressed fencing against coyotes, but did not touch at all on cougar fencing; this is probably why. The only way to protect one’s animals from cougars is to close them in a barn or roofed pasture at night.

She also said that the cougar did not seem to prefer domestic livestock, and here, again, I beg to differ. Alpacas, sheep and poultry are among the domestic lives lost to the cougar. The cougar was seen chasing a housecat during the day. Not once have the words “top-tier predator,” “merciless” or “kills to live” been used in an island publication.

I do not say this because I hate the cougar; I do not blame this animal for acting as it does. I do, however, hold our island publications responsible for presenting the cougar as a harmless creature that presents no threat to us, our children or our animals if only we act in an informed manner. Those of us who have lost beloved pets don’t need condescending platitudes. We are dealing with an animal that is contained in a range much smaller and contorted than what it should have, were it not on an island.

— Debbie Butle