Erich
February 20, 2004, 09:51 AM
http://www.sfnewmexican.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=6&ArticleID=40696
Cat eats dog! Cop shoots cat!
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BluesBear
February 20, 2004, 10:14 AM
Deputy Shoots Mountain Lion That Killed Tesuque Canyon Dog
By GEOFF GRAMMER | The New Mexican
Suzette, left, Phoebe and Colin Keegan lost their 9-year-old Airedale, Zoe, last Saturday when a mountain lion came onto their property and attacked and killed the dog. - Raul Vasquez | The New Mexican | The New Mexican
A mountain lion on Saturday killed a 9-year-old Airedale named Zoe, who had spent her life in the Big Tesuque Canyon area near Winsor Trail.
Zoe's owners, Suzette and Colin Keegan, said they arrived at their home near the Winsor Trailhead around 10:30 p.m. Saturday and thought it odd that Zoe didn't offer her usual tail-wagging welcome as they drove up.
"I went outside to look for her with a flashlight, and I saw this pair of eyes pointing toward the house," Suzette Keegan recalled. "I approached it, not knowing what it was, then realizing as I got closer that it was bigger than a dog. Finally I got close enough, where I realized it was a lion with its paws wrapped around the dog."
Suzette Keegan quickly returned to her house, and Colin Keegan went outside to scare the lion off by "jumping around and throwing the flashlight at him," he said, admitting Thursday that it probably wasn't the safest approach he could have used. But it worked. The lion calmly got up and slowly walked away from the Keegan home up a nearby hill, leaving Zoe's body near the home.
Sunday morning, the Keegans called the Santa Fe County sheriff's office and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to report the incident. Game and Fish reportedly could not have sent a conservation officer to the area until Monday, so 16-year sheriff's deputy John Lucero -- a trained hunting guide -- tracked the lion Sunday afternoon. Ruling that the cat posed a threat to the area, Lucero shot and killed it about 300 yards from the Keegan home.
"I commend (Lucero) for doing what he did," Sheriff Greg Solano said. "Normally, we would have had to wait for Game and Fish to come out, but in this case, John had the expertise and experience to take care of it himself, so he did."
The Keegans said they were grateful for Lucero's service.
"We have a 13-year-old daughter and two small nieces visiting us now that are both smaller than Zoe," Suzette Keegan said. "We're so happy to know that they were able to get the lion so quickly. John Lucero was great."
Investigators said the lion, which weighed between 90 and 110 pounds, had apparently been stalking the area for about two weeks, based on tracks and other clues that Lucero gathered, Suzette Keegan said.
Mountain lions in the area are uncommon, Solano said, and this incident should not alarm residents in the area.
Suzette Keegan said she thinks the lion chose Zoe, who weighed between 50 and 60 pounds, because she was the only "single dog" in the area.
Zoe was born in the canyon nine years ago, according to Suzette Keegan.
The dog used to live in the area with local real-estate broker Wally Sargent and his wife, Louann, until the Keegans adopted her two years ago when they moved near the trailhead. Zoe was a familiar face to local hikers, Suzette Keegan said.
Although mountain lions are rarely seen in the Santa Fe area, anyone who sees one can call county animal control at 428-3720.
Reader Comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004
by: Kate Moses
If lions "pose no threat," what logic justifies this lion's killing? I have come upon mountain lions in the wild in NM several times. I have never heard of one harming a human in New Mexico. This happens primarily in areas where encroachment upon their territory reaches crisis point. If one wants to live in the wilderness, living with wildlife, rather than waging vengeful war upon it, is part of that. The last paragraph implies that anyone who sees a lion should call Fish & Game so that more lions can be shot. I urge people not to call Fish & Game.
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004
by: Reagan Stone
If you could train the mountain lions to attack those culprits who break into cars at the Chamisa Trailhead you would have something! I feel for the folks who lost their dog.
By GEOFF GRAMMER | The New Mexican
Suzette, left, Phoebe and Colin Keegan lost their 9-year-old Airedale, Zoe, last Saturday when a mountain lion came onto their property and attacked and killed the dog. - Raul Vasquez | The New Mexican | The New Mexican
A mountain lion on Saturday killed a 9-year-old Airedale named Zoe, who had spent her life in the Big Tesuque Canyon area near Winsor Trail.
Zoe's owners, Suzette and Colin Keegan, said they arrived at their home near the Winsor Trailhead around 10:30 p.m. Saturday and thought it odd that Zoe didn't offer her usual tail-wagging welcome as they drove up.
"I went outside to look for her with a flashlight, and I saw this pair of eyes pointing toward the house," Suzette Keegan recalled. "I approached it, not knowing what it was, then realizing as I got closer that it was bigger than a dog. Finally I got close enough, where I realized it was a lion with its paws wrapped around the dog."
Suzette Keegan quickly returned to her house, and Colin Keegan went outside to scare the lion off by "jumping around and throwing the flashlight at him," he said, admitting Thursday that it probably wasn't the safest approach he could have used. But it worked. The lion calmly got up and slowly walked away from the Keegan home up a nearby hill, leaving Zoe's body near the home.
Sunday morning, the Keegans called the Santa Fe County sheriff's office and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to report the incident. Game and Fish reportedly could not have sent a conservation officer to the area until Monday, so 16-year sheriff's deputy John Lucero -- a trained hunting guide -- tracked the lion Sunday afternoon. Ruling that the cat posed a threat to the area, Lucero shot and killed it about 300 yards from the Keegan home.
"I commend (Lucero) for doing what he did," Sheriff Greg Solano said. "Normally, we would have had to wait for Game and Fish to come out, but in this case, John had the expertise and experience to take care of it himself, so he did."
The Keegans said they were grateful for Lucero's service.
"We have a 13-year-old daughter and two small nieces visiting us now that are both smaller than Zoe," Suzette Keegan said. "We're so happy to know that they were able to get the lion so quickly. John Lucero was great."
Investigators said the lion, which weighed between 90 and 110 pounds, had apparently been stalking the area for about two weeks, based on tracks and other clues that Lucero gathered, Suzette Keegan said.
Mountain lions in the area are uncommon, Solano said, and this incident should not alarm residents in the area.
Suzette Keegan said she thinks the lion chose Zoe, who weighed between 50 and 60 pounds, because she was the only "single dog" in the area.
Zoe was born in the canyon nine years ago, according to Suzette Keegan.
The dog used to live in the area with local real-estate broker Wally Sargent and his wife, Louann, until the Keegans adopted her two years ago when they moved near the trailhead. Zoe was a familiar face to local hikers, Suzette Keegan said.
Although mountain lions are rarely seen in the Santa Fe area, anyone who sees one can call county animal control at 428-3720.
Reader Comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004
by: Kate Moses
If lions "pose no threat," what logic justifies this lion's killing? I have come upon mountain lions in the wild in NM several times. I have never heard of one harming a human in New Mexico. This happens primarily in areas where encroachment upon their territory reaches crisis point. If one wants to live in the wilderness, living with wildlife, rather than waging vengeful war upon it, is part of that. The last paragraph implies that anyone who sees a lion should call Fish & Game so that more lions can be shot. I urge people not to call Fish & Game.
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2004
by: Reagan Stone
If you could train the mountain lions to attack those culprits who break into cars at the Chamisa Trailhead you would have something! I feel for the folks who lost their dog.
TallPine
February 20, 2004, 10:31 AM
Suzette Keegan quickly returned to her house, and Colin Keegan went outside to scare the lion off by "jumping around and throwing the flashlight at him," he said, admitting Thursday that it probably wasn't the safest approach he could have used.
The lion probably thought that he was crazy, and so do I. :rolleyes:
Gee, an Airdale is pretty big dog :what:
The lion probably thought that he was crazy, and so do I. :rolleyes:
Gee, an Airdale is pretty big dog :what:
whm1974
February 20, 2004, 06:04 PM
Throwing somthing at a preditor is a smart thing to do. Don't act like prey
Bill Meadows
Bill Meadows
QuarterBoreGunner
February 20, 2004, 06:13 PM
Cat eats dog! Cop shoots cat!
That's a FARK.com headline if ever I read one.
Throwing somthing at a preditor is a smart thing to do. Don't act like prey I did not know this; the throwing things part. Not acting like prey sounds like common sense. I would guess not running would be wise- I'd think that would just be an invitation to chase and pounce. I've also heard that waving your arms to make yourself look bigger than you are is a good trick.
I'd never even bother thinking about these things except for the biker that was killed (and partially eaten...ew...) in SoCal late last year by a Mountain Lion.
That's a FARK.com headline if ever I read one.
Throwing somthing at a preditor is a smart thing to do. Don't act like prey I did not know this; the throwing things part. Not acting like prey sounds like common sense. I would guess not running would be wise- I'd think that would just be an invitation to chase and pounce. I've also heard that waving your arms to make yourself look bigger than you are is a good trick.
I'd never even bother thinking about these things except for the biker that was killed (and partially eaten...ew...) in SoCal late last year by a Mountain Lion.
son of a gun
February 20, 2004, 06:39 PM
http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/contrib/ut1/rocketwhore.gifI Prescribe to the philosophy "Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up."http://www.freeadpower.org/~mrsmiles/contrib/geno/para.gif
El Tejon
February 20, 2004, 06:53 PM
:p
Mark Tyson
February 20, 2004, 07:05 PM
The ancient battle between cats and dogs continues . . .
joab
February 20, 2004, 07:26 PM
I Prescribe to the philosophy "Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up."
Since our main predator in my part of Fla is gators, its shoot, eat some tail, shovel , and shut up.
Since our main predator in my part of Fla is gators, its shoot, eat some tail, shovel , and shut up.
XLMiguel
February 20, 2004, 09:03 PM
Too bad about the dog, too bad about the cat, life goes on.
I found some of the comments by the 'tree huggers' to be incredibly naive and stupid. I don't have a problem with preditors passing thru, but hanging around is quite another thing. If some big kitty or bunch of coyotes mistakes my back yard for hunting ground, they will be in peril. Anything that tries to eat Jake the cat will be shot. SSS.
I found some of the comments by the 'tree huggers' to be incredibly naive and stupid. I don't have a problem with preditors passing thru, but hanging around is quite another thing. If some big kitty or bunch of coyotes mistakes my back yard for hunting ground, they will be in peril. Anything that tries to eat Jake the cat will be shot. SSS.
George Hill
February 21, 2004, 01:05 AM
In some places out here in Utah, shoveling is optional. Leave it out and the other critters will take care of it pretty good. Give it a couple weeks and you can go back out and "find" a cool puma skull.
It's impressive that this Deputy was able to actually track this kitty. These guys are big creatures as far as cats go, but they are smart and sneaky. The only way I have been able to locate them is with my Dog.
It's impressive that this Deputy was able to actually track this kitty. These guys are big creatures as far as cats go, but they are smart and sneaky. The only way I have been able to locate them is with my Dog.
Delmar
February 21, 2004, 01:31 AM
Nice of them folks to leave a snack out for the kitty:rolleyes:
Some people just don't use a lot of sense when it comes to the family pet.
Some people just don't use a lot of sense when it comes to the family pet.
whm1974
February 21, 2004, 06:23 AM
Nice of them folks to leave a snack out for the kitty
Some people just don't use a lot of sense when it comes to the family pet.
When I was in college I knew a guy that his mother didn't like hunting or guns until her toy
poodle got eaten by a coyote(he was 15 at the time). After that she brout him and his
dad couple of SKS rifles(lived in AZ at thetime) and made them get hunting premits.
I did not know this; the throwing things part. Not acting like prey sounds like common sense. I would guess not running would be wise- I'd think that would just be an invitation to chase and pounce. I've also heard that waving your arms to make yourself look bigger than you are is a good trick.
Any big cat can run much faster then you can. Same thing apply to bears, however a bear can also break down your door to your house. If you live in bear or cat country have a powerful firearm withen reach.
Bill MEadows
Some people just don't use a lot of sense when it comes to the family pet.
When I was in college I knew a guy that his mother didn't like hunting or guns until her toy
poodle got eaten by a coyote(he was 15 at the time). After that she brout him and his
dad couple of SKS rifles(lived in AZ at thetime) and made them get hunting premits.
I did not know this; the throwing things part. Not acting like prey sounds like common sense. I would guess not running would be wise- I'd think that would just be an invitation to chase and pounce. I've also heard that waving your arms to make yourself look bigger than you are is a good trick.
Any big cat can run much faster then you can. Same thing apply to bears, however a bear can also break down your door to your house. If you live in bear or cat country have a powerful firearm withen reach.
Bill MEadows
DougCxx
February 21, 2004, 07:39 AM
Well I don't blame anyone really--it said that pumas were rare in the area.....
....-but......
---if you approach a puma and you don't have a good-sized gun and good vision/visibility, you are STUPID!!!
150-lb Pumas in Canada regularly kill 750-lb elk.
That is the highest prey-to-predator weight ratio of any land animal.
It's a pretty good bet that any puma over about 50 lbs can take a human to pieces pretty quickly--it is just that most of the time the pumas prefer not to.
Yes this guy frightened it off easily and nothing more happened, but that is one he77 of a bet to take just to save a dog's carcass.
~
....-but......
---if you approach a puma and you don't have a good-sized gun and good vision/visibility, you are STUPID!!!
150-lb Pumas in Canada regularly kill 750-lb elk.
That is the highest prey-to-predator weight ratio of any land animal.
It's a pretty good bet that any puma over about 50 lbs can take a human to pieces pretty quickly--it is just that most of the time the pumas prefer not to.
Yes this guy frightened it off easily and nothing more happened, but that is one he77 of a bet to take just to save a dog's carcass.
~
El Tejon
February 21, 2004, 08:02 AM
Good thing I keep a border collie that knows kung fu, like in that GE commerical. Chinese boxing collies and magic pixie dust keep me safe!:cool:
Grey54956
February 21, 2004, 08:14 AM
I thought it was interesting that the cat posed an imminent threat to humans in the area.
Let's see:
1.) Cats were there first, so they are in the cats' backyard.
2.) Leaving tasty morsel wandering around outside in the yard while they go galavanting around, then getting upset because cat chose to snack on tasty morsel is pretty naive.
That would be like leaving an open bag cheetos on the sidewalk in front of your house and shooting your stoner neighbor because he posed a threat to you for eating the aforementioned cheetos.
Let's see:
1.) Cats were there first, so they are in the cats' backyard.
2.) Leaving tasty morsel wandering around outside in the yard while they go galavanting around, then getting upset because cat chose to snack on tasty morsel is pretty naive.
That would be like leaving an open bag cheetos on the sidewalk in front of your house and shooting your stoner neighbor because he posed a threat to you for eating the aforementioned cheetos.
son of a gun
February 21, 2004, 11:20 AM
whm1974
Throwing somthing at a preditor is a smart thing to do. Don't act like prey
I recall watching a video on THR where they threw 3006 rounds at a lion in Africa and it charged the hunter and lunged at his throat missing him by about 1 centimeter.:what:
Throwing somthing at a preditor is a smart thing to do. Don't act like prey
I recall watching a video on THR where they threw 3006 rounds at a lion in Africa and it charged the hunter and lunged at his throat missing him by about 1 centimeter.:what:
DesertRat
February 21, 2004, 11:55 AM
Deputy Lucero GOT LUCKY, period. There is no way he simply tracked that Mountain Lion on his own (dogs required). I realize there are some EXCELLENT trackers out there who could theoretically follow cat tracks, but with how stealthy, quick and observant Mountain Lions are there is simply no way.
Mountain Lions will move miles in a very short period of time--distances we humans simply cannot cover without a vehicle and even if we were good runners we are simply too clumsy to keep up.
I've done plenty of hunting here in the Arizona deserts principally for coyotes and if you're in an area with canyons, ravines, etc there is simply no way a mountain lion is going to allow you to track it. I've caught fleeting glimpses of them at very long distances while glassing ridgelines and canyon opposite the side I'm on. Those cats ALWAYS knew I was there.
This cat must have been become lazy and started spending a considerable amount of time in that one area fattening itself up on the local pets.
Mountain Lions will move miles in a very short period of time--distances we humans simply cannot cover without a vehicle and even if we were good runners we are simply too clumsy to keep up.
I've done plenty of hunting here in the Arizona deserts principally for coyotes and if you're in an area with canyons, ravines, etc there is simply no way a mountain lion is going to allow you to track it. I've caught fleeting glimpses of them at very long distances while glassing ridgelines and canyon opposite the side I'm on. Those cats ALWAYS knew I was there.
This cat must have been become lazy and started spending a considerable amount of time in that one area fattening itself up on the local pets.
son of a gun
February 21, 2004, 12:12 PM
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mtphotos/flathead/flathead-mountain-lion-tree.jpg
Erich
February 21, 2004, 12:20 PM
I frequently see cat tracks (and, rarely, scat) when I hike in the Sandias up behind the house. Never seen a cat. (The same is true for bears - although I see the scat a lot more frequently.) I would be surprised if bears and cats haven't seen me, though.
Other than being careful not to sit around up there with my back exposed, I don't really worry about it too much. Too many deer, dogs, housecats, kids, etc., around down the hill.
Glad folks enjoyed the story from the New Mexican, though. :)
Other than being careful not to sit around up there with my back exposed, I don't really worry about it too much. Too many deer, dogs, housecats, kids, etc., around down the hill.
Glad folks enjoyed the story from the New Mexican, though. :)
whm1974
February 21, 2004, 04:47 PM
This cat must have been become lazy and started spending a considerable amount of time in that one area fattening itself up on the local pets.
This is why if you live in bear or cat country you don't leave pets or small
kids outside by themselves.
Bill Meadows
This is why if you live in bear or cat country you don't leave pets or small
kids outside by themselves.
Bill Meadows
Tropical Z
February 21, 2004, 08:06 PM
Its a shame they killed the cat-they should make the people move!
Erich
March 13, 2004, 11:00 AM
http://www.sfnewmexican.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=6&ArticleID=41819
Cat's walking down a steet in downtown Santa Fe (right in front of the newspaper). Santa Fe was established as a Villa Real in 1620, and was inhabited for hundreds of years before that as a pueblo.
Should the people move (gnashing of teeth from the artsy crystal-gazers), or have they got standing to stay by this point? The cats are only pretty rare visitors nowadays, so I'd say the people have taken adverse possession of the land on which SF sits from the cats. . .
Cat's walking down a steet in downtown Santa Fe (right in front of the newspaper). Santa Fe was established as a Villa Real in 1620, and was inhabited for hundreds of years before that as a pueblo.
Should the people move (gnashing of teeth from the artsy crystal-gazers), or have they got standing to stay by this point? The cats are only pretty rare visitors nowadays, so I'd say the people have taken adverse possession of the land on which SF sits from the cats. . .
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