Officials at an elementary school in Laval, north of Montreal, are counselling students after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed Tuesday during a dispute over Pokemon cards.

Pokemon started as a video game, became a hit TV show and now the trading cards are in big demand. They feature Japanese animated figures that have different powers. The cards can range in price from 50 cents to $300.

Police say the 14-year-old was stabbed when he approached a 12-year-old and accused him of stealing a box of his little brother's Pokemon cards. The cards were thought to be worth about $45.

The 14-year-old was injured in the shoulder and had to get four stitches.

His 12-year-old assailant was taken for questioning and may be charged.

The principal at St. Gerard elementary school had banned Pokemon cards the day before the stabbing because they were distracting students. Francois Ducharme says he's stunned by the assault.

Pokemon trading pieces are so popular that shop owner Myles Charon has been forced to limit sales.

"I'd say they're off the scale, I haven't seen anything this popular. I mean the hockey card craze was big but the problem there was a supply. Here, the supply is extremely limited which is further fuelling the popularity."

Charon denounces the stabbing. He says Pokemon cards should be banned in all schools.