Cougar seen NE of Redmond, not found in search

A homeowner northeast of Redmond reported a cougar came through her front yard Saturday afternoon, prompting Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies to conduct a search that did not find the animal, they said.

Deputies were dispatched around 2:30 p.m. to the area of Northeast Yucca Avenue and 17 th Street on the reported sighting, said sheriff’s Lt. Paul Garrison.

The woman told deputies she had been at her home when she observed the cougar cross through her front yard, proceeding east into a tree- and brush-covered area between her home and one immediately to the east, Garrison said.

Deputies conducted an extensive search but did not locate the cougar.

Garrison said deputies tried to notify the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to advise them of the cougar activity but were unable to do so. (ODFW officials also could not be reached by Bend police on a Saturday evening in late March when they shot and killed a cougar found near a trail on Pilot Butte.)

Garrison said in a news release the sheriff’s office wants to remind citizens who encounter a cougar to “not run, but move slowly, keeping the animal in view as you move away from the area.”

Also, he said, “should you locate a dead animal carcass, do not disturb it, especially if you believe the animal to be a cougar kill.”

If there are confirmed cougar sightings in your area, Garrison said, don’t walk your dogs at night in that area. Residents also should keep outside lights on in the areas where livestock are present, to help detour cougar attacks. Supervise children and pets that are outside.

If there is a perceived danger to the community from wildlife such as a cougar, you’re urged to notify law enforcement as soon as possible.