Cougar shot, killed by deputy in Cascade Locks

A Hood River County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a cougar next to a car with a baby inside at a home in Cascade Locks on Friday night, deputies said.

The shooting took place around 9:45 p.m. at a home on John Quincy Avenue, deputies said.

The cougar was beside a vehicle occupied by an infant, preventing the baby’s mother from safely removing the child, they said.

“The cougar remained in close proximity” after the deputy arrived, according to a news release. “At that point, due to continuous close proximity and the danger presented to the family by the animal’s refusal to leave the area, the deputy shot and killed the cougar.”

Officials said the incident followed two sightings of cougars in the same neighborhood last weekend, as well as another sighting approximately a week before that.

Residents had reported seeing the cougar pass within 10 feet of their front door, as well as unconfirmed reports of a domestic animal that was missing.

“When deputies responded to one of those sightings, the cougar in question demonstrated itself to be highly acclimated to the area, with the deputy going to great lengths to scare the animal off,” according to the sheriff’s office.

“The nature and small geographic area of those reports indicate that this was likely all the same animal, and that it was growing increasingly comfortable in the more urban environment. It had also demonstrated a decrease in its own fear of humans,” they said.

“The animal’s body has been turned over to Oregon State Police Fish & Game. Due to the numerous recent sightings in Cascade Locks and Hood River, the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office said it has been working closely with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.