COUGAR SHOT AND KILLED IN CASCADE LOCKS
Cascade Locks, Ore. – On June 21st, 2019, at approximately 9:45 PM a deputy with the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office shot and killed a cougar at a residence on John Quincy Ave. in Cascade Locks. The cougar was adjacent to a vehicle that was occupied by an infant, preventing the mother from safely removing the infant from the vehicle. Upon the arrival of the deputy, the cougar remained in close proximity. 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.
This incident follows two sightings of cougars in the same neighborhood the previous 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. 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.
The animal 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 has been working closely with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
