Harry Tuttle
Member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2003
- Messages
- 3,093
Chief believes loose cat is domesticated cougar
LYNWOOD: More sightings of large animal reported in Lynwood.
BY MEMA AYI
Times Staff Writer
http://nwitimes.com/articles/2004/09/21/news/local_illinois/c640f2683c54d2d486256f160001e32a.txt
This story ran on nwitimes.com on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 12:04 AM CDT
LYNWOOD -- An animal control officer from Orland Park will help Lynwood police track and trap what they believe could be a cougar.
Police officers and the animal control officer with night vision equipment spent the past two nights in a field near 201st and Juniper streets looking for a large cat-like animal, Police Chief David Palmer said.
Sightings of the tan-colored animal began about two weeks ago. All sightings have been within a half-mile radius, he said.
"All indications are that it is a cougar," Palmer said.
Authorities hope to find the den of the 55- to 120-pound animal, then trap it.
The animal seems somewhat domesticated, Palmer said. Descriptions of its markings and ears led authorities to believe it could be a cougar abandoned by someone who realized they could not raise it, he said.
"If someone chose to raise it as a pet and deliberately released it, they're not going to claim it because they know they'll be fined," Palmer said.
The Police Department has had nine bona fide sightings of the animal, but there have been pranksters, he said.
The head of a stuffed animal was found under the foundation of a house under construction, and an elderly man had officers respond to what turned out to be a tan house cat, Palmer said.
Two officers have seen the animal. After one sighting, police found a paw print about 5 inches wide, he said.
No reward is being offered for the capture of the animal. The chief warned that residents should not try to trap the animal, nor shoot at it because it is illegal to fire a gun in Cook County. Anyone who shoots at the animal could be arrested, he said.
"Cougars can take down a 600-pound elk or moose, bite them on the back of the neck and kill them instantly," Palmer said. "The best thing if you think you see something is to call 911 and we'll deal with it."
Children and small animals should not be left outside alone during the evening or nighttime hours, he said.
Palmer said he would like to see the animal trapped in a cage, or hit with a tranquilizer dart if officers can get close enough.
If the animal is caught, Lynwood officials then have to decide where to send the it. However, the chief's biggest concern is the public's safety.
"We're doing this one step at a time," Palmer said.
Mema Ayi can be reached at [email protected] or (219) 933-3241.
LYNWOOD: More sightings of large animal reported in Lynwood.
BY MEMA AYI
Times Staff Writer
http://nwitimes.com/articles/2004/09/21/news/local_illinois/c640f2683c54d2d486256f160001e32a.txt
This story ran on nwitimes.com on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 12:04 AM CDT
LYNWOOD -- An animal control officer from Orland Park will help Lynwood police track and trap what they believe could be a cougar.
Police officers and the animal control officer with night vision equipment spent the past two nights in a field near 201st and Juniper streets looking for a large cat-like animal, Police Chief David Palmer said.
Sightings of the tan-colored animal began about two weeks ago. All sightings have been within a half-mile radius, he said.
"All indications are that it is a cougar," Palmer said.
Authorities hope to find the den of the 55- to 120-pound animal, then trap it.
The animal seems somewhat domesticated, Palmer said. Descriptions of its markings and ears led authorities to believe it could be a cougar abandoned by someone who realized they could not raise it, he said.
"If someone chose to raise it as a pet and deliberately released it, they're not going to claim it because they know they'll be fined," Palmer said.
The Police Department has had nine bona fide sightings of the animal, but there have been pranksters, he said.
The head of a stuffed animal was found under the foundation of a house under construction, and an elderly man had officers respond to what turned out to be a tan house cat, Palmer said.
Two officers have seen the animal. After one sighting, police found a paw print about 5 inches wide, he said.
No reward is being offered for the capture of the animal. The chief warned that residents should not try to trap the animal, nor shoot at it because it is illegal to fire a gun in Cook County. Anyone who shoots at the animal could be arrested, he said.
"Cougars can take down a 600-pound elk or moose, bite them on the back of the neck and kill them instantly," Palmer said. "The best thing if you think you see something is to call 911 and we'll deal with it."
Children and small animals should not be left outside alone during the evening or nighttime hours, he said.
Palmer said he would like to see the animal trapped in a cage, or hit with a tranquilizer dart if officers can get close enough.
If the animal is caught, Lynwood officials then have to decide where to send the it. However, the chief's biggest concern is the public's safety.
"We're doing this one step at a time," Palmer said.
Mema Ayi can be reached at [email protected] or (219) 933-3241.
