Central Oregon is a place of beauty and an area that is often shared with a wide variety of wild life. Most of the wild life in Central Oregon is harmless and beautiful to look at, enjoyed by all and often the talk around the water cooler. Who saw a heard of elk, or a deer crossing the road and so on?
Today reality set in for some, a home I sold about 2 years ago came into the news. The home owners live in this cute little home with their children and a dog. They started their day as they typically do. One of the kids went to the back door and let out the family dog, turned to go put on his jacket and go play with the dog.
Dad apparently looked out the door or window prior to the child going out to see a cougar chasing the dog. The homeowner was able to get the dog in the home before it was injured and called 911. The sheriffs that responded called Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife who felt putting the animal down was the best resolution. It was daylight, in a neighborhood of families and tracking or trapping the animal could lead to a dangerous situation for children getting on and off school buses.
Although, this is not an everyday occurrence, it does happen. No matter how long you have lived in Central Oregon, it is a good idea to always respect the wild life and keep a safe distance. If you find your self in a situation similar to this one, please call the authorities and let them deal with it.
Read the story on my favorite Central Oregon News Source.
OMGOSH!! How scary!!!
I frequently see black bear in my yard, but they just lumber along on their merry way; they generally do not stop and interact with us at all (Not that we're outside when they are, but my dog was once and starting barking ferociously...I got her inside and the bear never even paused while she was barking at it..)
A cougar though is probably not as uninterested as a bear. Obviously he was on the hunt since he was chasing the dog.
What a horrifying experience. Thank goodness nobody was hurt.
Thesa, I'm so glad your story had a happy ending. I'm also glad you put happy ending in your title because when I read about the dog I knew what was coming.
As the city is encroaching on our neighborhood we are losing lots of cats; we are fairly sure it is to coyotes. Their territory is getting smaller and we think they are coming in to our subdivision to feed. I expect as we keep growing that problem will be resolved although it will probably be the next subdivision over that is dealing with it.
Thesa... I agree, a semi close encounter. I have heard some stories from Eastern PA, that would be about an hour from me, having lions and such roaming around.
Besides, we had an alligator in the neighborhood this past summer. It was found out that someone locally had it as a pet and then it grew too large. They finally found it about 2 months later... but many people around town were somewhat scared.
Steve - it is common here when a subdivision expands to what was untouched before - but this home is in an area where homes have been for over 30 years - my guess is the cold temps we have had are causing animals to burrow down and so food is scarce.
Joanne - I saw a Bob Cat on my property last year and have seen Cougars in the past but they generally are not hanging around the homes.
Karen - I bet it was - I saw one about 7 years ago in our back yard, it was a mama and her cub - scared me pretty good.
Joseph - me too - thanks for stopping by.
Dan - I hope Sandra does not read this between our cold temps which was 16 below this morning for REALTORS® tour - and this she will never come see me :o)
Jennifer - I have a friend that won't go because she is afraid of bears. Really it is pretty odd for this to happen.
Sandra - I just told Dan I was wishing you would not read this.. lol
Neal - you have Gators though and snakes - I will take a Cougar any day :o)
Karen - my family teases me because I am always looking for bear - have yet to find one in the wild -
Jeanean - and people wonder why I pack a pistol when I am in the woods or showing property out in the woods - you make my case for me. Thanks for stopping by.
Marchel - it was a happy ending - you may receive a call from clients of mine this next week - they are starting to get some good bites on their home here.
Lisa - I think the Waltons is actually a good example of my area. Homes are typically over an acre apart and there are areas you can drive for miles without seeing another car or human... so all joking aside - I do live in the sticks.
Jeff - I am afraid of alligators - saw them in December - did you know that crocs have an vertebra in their spine to allow them to turn their head to bite you.... lol
No, thank you Crocodile Thesa Dundee.... lol And don't they say that you learn something once a day? Well, I am done today... lol
Wow Thesa...
I would just love to encounter a Cougar.
Nice kitty...Good kitty...Please don't turn me into "Cat Food"...Nice kitty...Good kitty :)
TLW...ROAR!
Jeff - you crack me up
TLW - kitty, kitty, kitty - they usually stay away from people but their scream can be heard a long ways away - they sound like a woman screaming