Tuesday 17 July 2012

UPDATE: Ashland Police Give Warnings After Bobcat Sightings


ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Ashland Police are asking residents to be cautious after several big cat sightings in the area, one of which they confirmed.
They say a bobcat made its way through the Midland Heights neighborhood Saturday morning, and they're doing their best to track down the animal.
"It's going to be a daunting task," Major Mark McDowell of Ashland Police said. "It's much easier said than done when trying to capture an animal like that, but we are going to make an effort."
Residents are asked to keep an eye on kids and pets playing outside, and to call police right away if they see anything.
"We're so densely populated, and we don't want a tragedy to unfold as a result of somebody trying to kill an animal like that within the city limits," McDowell said.
Police say they're working with wildlife experts and are investigating the possibility of more than one big cat in the area.
UPDATE 7/14/12 @ 10:00 p.m.
ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Several residents in the Middland Heights neighborhood say they have spotted a big cat.
Mark Conley says he heard his dog barking Saturday, and went to check it out. That's when he says he was face to face with the wild animal. Conley says the cat had just killed a deer.
"Is one going to pounce down on me, you know?" Conley said. "I guess I'm confined to my home after 9 o'clock when it gets dark."
The incident has alarmed many in the community, even prompting some to put up fliers to warn other neighbors.
"I will not go out in the backyard, even though it's fenced at night," Ashland resident Nan O'Hara said. "I'm not going to walk my dog at night. I'm not going to take walks at night until this is settled somehow."
Ashland Police are now classifying this as a confirmed sighting. They're alerting residents in the area to exercise caution with children and pets that may play in the area.


UPDATE 7/6/12 @ 11:30 p.m.
ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) -- There has been another report of a big cat sighting in Ashland, according to the Ashland Police Department.
About 8:30 a.m. Friday, officers responded to Cheer Street regarding an unconfirmed big cat sighting.
A resident observed what appeared to be a large cat with a long tail in the area.
Police responded, but nothing was located.
This is the third unconfirmed sighting of a large cat (believed to be a cougar/mountain lion) seen in Ashland since June 28. Previous sightings were in the vicinity of Eloise Street and Forest Avenue.
The public is encouraged to call 911 and not attempt to pursue the animal.


UPDATE 6/29/12 @ 5:10 p.m.
ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) -- A police alert has Ashland neighbors keeping a close eye and short leash on their dogs and cats.
The cause for concern is reported sightings of mountain lions and/or cougars.
A resident who lives along Forest Court in Ashland and did not want to be on camera pointed out where earlier this week he saw a cougar.
He says the big cat was just lying down where the backyard meets a wooded area.
Across town, someone living along Eloise Street say they spotted a mountain lion or cougar.
Mary McKinney, who lives along Eloise Street, was skeptical.
"Someone probably saw a big dog," McKinney said. "I don't think we have a big cat roaming around.”
Big cat sightings in two neighborhoods by different people prompted Ashland Police to put out a citywide mountain lion alert.
“We've seen fox and even wolves in the city,"
Ashland Police Major Todd Kelley said. "We're surrounded in Ashland by hunting area, so wild animals in the city are not unheard of.”
Kelley and WSAZ wildlife expert Tom Clay agree -- if mountain lions or cougars are on an Ashland neighborhood prowl, pets and small children would be prime targets for a fearsome feline predator.
“Big cats can come in from out of the mountains, across creeks and rivers looking for a new area to feed," Clay said. "People leave dog food out, and mountain lions will come in to look for something to eat.”
Kelley advises, “Don't approach them. Don't try and make them your friend. Call 911 and we will come out with animal control.”
Recent history shows reports of mountain lion or cougar sightings is West Virginia and southern Ohio, as well as the Kentucky Wildcats.
If you see a big cat, remember don't approach it, call 911.


ORIGINAL STORY
ASHLAND, Ky (WSAZ) -- The Ashland Police Department is advising the community to be on high alert Thursday.
In the past 48 hours, police have been notified of two alleged sightings of a mountain lion or cougar type species.
The sightings have been in the areas of Eloise Street on the west side of Ashland and on the Forest Avenue area of South Ashland.
No confirmations have been made by police or animal control officers at this time.
Police are urging caution. They said do not approach the animal and call 911 immediately.

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