A cougar attacked a three-year-old girl in Squamish, B.C., on Tuesday night. An unusual number of cougars have been spotted in the area, conservation officers say. (Canadian Press)

Residents in Brackendale, a community in the northern part of Squamish, B.C., were told to be on guard and keep pets indoors Tuesday night while conservation officers tracked a cougar that attacked a three-year-old girl.

Squamish is 60 kilometres north of Vancouver.

Five conservation officers, who were aided by two dogs and their handlers, were attempting to track the cat.

The attack comes after conservation officers in the Squamish area warned hikers to keep an eye out for the large cats.

The girl thought the cougar was playing with her when it swiped her from behind, according to her father.

Maya Espinoza was walking along the Squamish River with her mother in Fisherman's Park when she was attacked early Tuesday evening.

Pablo Espinoza, Maya's father, told CBC News his daughter thought the cat was playing. He said his wife scared the animal away and Maya was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

RCMP Cpl. Dave Ritchie said the girl is expected to recover.

Matt Gordon, who works for the Public Affairs Bureau of the B.C. Ministry of Environment, said the priority in their investigation is to find the cougar and kill it.

There were six encounters last Friday alone, including two on dogs. One dog was killed and eaten by a cougar.

Conservation officers said the cougar that attacked the dogs was emaciated, so hunger may have prompted the aggressive behaviour. That cougar was later euthanized by conservation officers.