Cougars invade residential areas

A Sheltie dog was mauled on Wednesday, April 3, in the Plainview area east of Sisters in an incident Deschutes County Sheriff's deputies are treating as a cougar attack.

According to sheriff's office reports, a Plainview man reported letting his house cat out at about 10:45 a.m. The Sheltie then chased the cat up a tree about 75 yards from the house.

The man reported that he heard a commotion and went back outside to find the Sheltie injured and bleeding profusely from a neck wound. The man reported seeing gaping slash wounds.

Veterinarians at Sisters Veterinary Clinic reported that the Sheltie suffered puncture wounds to the neck and a broken leg. As of Friday, the dog was expected to survive.

Clinic employee Ali Geraths said the Sheltie's owners believe the dog's companion, a big Chesapeake Bay Retriever may have scared the cougar off, saving his little friend.

A cougar has also been sighted in residential areas of Camp Sherman, west of Sisters.

Peter Hedren, who lives in Metolius Meadows, reports two visits by a local cougar.

"He visited two different mornings, once around 7:30 and another time around 8 a.m. The latter time he was about 10 feet off our back deck," said Hedren.

"The cougar has a chocolate brown coat, is about four feet long and has a very long tail. It's an absolutely beautiful animal," said Hedren.

"We've lived here about 10 years and enjoy the environment and wildlife. We've seen bear, otters playing in the creek and other wildlife."

The Hedren family includes Mary, Peter's wife, and four children, Colin, Jasper, Max and Haley.

An elk, recently killed near Tamarack Lane and the Camp Sherman Community Hall, may have been taken by a cougar. Since cougars are quite territorial, it probably is the same cougar.

"It's nice to have wildlife in the area but safety for small children is also important," said Lee Farm, another Camp Sherman resident. "The neighbor behind me, Jade Schneringer, recently saw the cougar in her back yard one evening."

Vic Johnson, a neighbor of the Hedren's, saw the cougar on the island in the creek near his home.

"It's a beautiful animal but is worrisome this close to residences. Because of its size, it's probably a male. Cougars have increased dramatically in Oregon over the last decade," said Johnson.

John Belozer, of the U.S. Forest Service, said, "You live right where they live. With food, water and cover available, this is excellent mountain lion habitat."