Two cougars sighted in Tollgate

A Tollgate resident called 911 on Saturday morning to report two cougars walking through the yard at 69200 Horseshoe.

At one point, the two cougars appeared to be playing with each other in the yard and were small in size, indicating they may be young.

The presence of the cougars created a potential close call for one Tollgate resident.

Kelly King told The Nugget that her 16-year-old daughter, Hannah, was just heading out to feed a neighbor's dogs when neighbor, Glenn Brown called to report seeing cougars in his yard.

"I went to the sliding glass door and yelled 'Hannah, come back!' and she did," King said.

Hannah looked back through the door to catch a glimpse of the cougars running back toward the Brown house.

"They could have crossed paths if Glenn hadn't called," King said.

In fact, when Hannah and her father, Brad, went out later they saw the cougars' tracks intersecting Hannah's.

"She was kind of rattled... thinking of the possibilities," King said. "We're so thankful that Glenn called."

A Deschutes Country Sheriff's Deputy tracked the cougars and observed one cougar moving to an area south of the subdivision. The deputy located a set of tracks belonging to a possible third cougar that led in a southerly direction toward Sisters High School and Sisters Middle School.

The Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Tollgate Homeowner's Association were notified of the sighting. The cougars may have been attracted to the subdivision due to the large number of deer that congregate within the subdivision.

The area surrounding the subdivision and schools were checked; the cougars were not observed again.

The sheriff's office encourages the public to report all cougar sightings and to remain at a safe distance during a sighting.

If you encounter a cougar, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends:

•Cougars often will retreat if given the opportunity. Leave the animal a way to escape.

•Stay calm and stand your ground.

•Maintain eye contact.

• Pick up children, without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.

•Back away slowly.

•Do not run. Running triggers a chase response in cougars, which could lead to an attack.

•Raise your voice and speak firmly.

•If the cougar seems aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands.

•If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, tools or any items available.