Photo: File photo

Police in Clearwater shot and killed what appeared to be a starving cougar that they say had little fear of humans.

RCMP Sgt. Grant Simpson says the animal was shot Tuesday after it was seen prowling through a subdivision in the municipality in B.C.'s North Thompson.

Police were told an animal had killed a house cat, and Simpson says his members determined the cougar posed a significant risk to the public.

When the cougar entered a home under construction, Simpson says officers moved in and shot it.

He says tranquilizing the cougar was not an option because it appeared unhealthy and starving.

A necropsy will be done on the animal's body that could determine why it was in such poor condition.