Bend resident reports cougar sighting in Bear Creek area

After receiving a report of a cougar in the Bear Creek Elementary area, Bend police searched for the cat without luck Sunday night, leaving some neighbors worried about pets and children.

“It’s kind of unnerving,” said Eric McElroy, who said his roommate spotted the cougar in their backyard off NE McCartney Road “He freaked out and came running back into the house.”

“He said it was a giant cat, probably the biggest one he’d ever seen — long tail” McElroy added. “Once it noticed him, it jumped over the fence and took off.”

Police Lt. Clint Burleigh said Monday responding officers looked for the elusive cougar but never found it. He said its not unusual for officers to take calls about cougars spotted in town, but they rarely are able to confirm the reports.

In March, Bend police killed a cougar found on Pilot Butte. In January, another cougar was killed after it was found in a tree behind a home in southeast Bend.

Neighbors on McCartney Road said lots of cats roam the streets. Some also worry about small children.

“I am concerned, because I do have a 7-year-old granddaughter that’s here from time to time,” Steve Pitkin said.

Bear Creek Elementary School is located just a couple of blocks away from the reported sighting.

Parent Cynthia Bartenstein did not know a cougar had been reported in the area when she picked up her son from pre-school Monday afternoon.

She said she doesn’t normally ever think about cougars.

“Yes, it concerns me,” Bartenstein said. “I’m very alert right now, because I’m picking up my child from school.”

School Principal Anissa Wiseman said her only comment was: “According to Bend police, the sighting was never confirmed.”

Wiseman declined to comment on what the school did after it learned about the reported sighting. She also declined to comment on school policies and procedures regarding cougars.

NewsChannel 21 spoke with several neighbors in the area. Although some were concerned, most said they were not worried.

“Obviously, I don’t want it in my backyard, but I don’t feel like I have something that’s going to draw it in, either,” said neighbor Stephani Sexton.

Neighbor Diane Kulpinski said she immediately thought about her cat, but won’t lose any sleep over a cougar running around the neighborhood.

“It’s kind of exciting to have wildlife wandering around your neighborhood,” she said. “We have deer here, and sometimes we hear coyotes — so it’s kind of cool.”

Those who see cougars within the city limits are encouraged to report sightings to Bend police. Cougars can also be reported to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.