No clear evidence a mountain lion is roaming the county
Chief Deputy Chris Prickett examines an unusual indentation in a wooded area north of Tomas Dominguez’s home at 6031 State Route 540 on Thursday. Deputies were called out to investigate a reported mountain lion sighting. (EXAMINER PHOTO | JOEL E. MAST)
Some days are more strange than others for law enforcement officers and Thursday was one of those for a half dozen Logan County Sheriff’s deputies.
Late in the morning they responded to the Tomas Dominguez residence at 6031 State Route 540 to search for a mountain lion.
They didn’t find any definitive evidence a cougar was roaming the area, but they also have no reason to doubt Dominguez believes he saw a cougar.
“I learned years ago to never say never,” Chief Deputy Chris Prickett said. “It’s possible he did see a cougar. People have been known to keep exotic animals as pets and it’s possible one got loose.”
Dominguez said he was working in his basement Thursday morning and went upstairs and outside for breath of fresh air.
While on his porch, he said he spied the cougar in a tree line north of the home.
“It had its front paws up on a tree,” he said. “Its tail was three feet long.”
He screeched at the animal and it took one look at Dominguez before heading off. The resident then called the sheriff’s office.
Deputies spent less than an hour, but could not find telltale paw prints. They also talked with neighbors and tried to reach a resident in the area who kept exotic animals at one time.
Prickett said the resident was not home Thursday. Deputies intend to follow up today.
“I would ask anybody in the area to keep an eye out and call us if they see anything,” Prickett said.