PORT ANGELES — Some Port Angeles residents are concerned after recent sightings of a cougar on the west end of town.
Vera Phillips, who lives near Fairchild International Airport, is among those warning others of the cougar and said she knows of at least a dozen pets that are missing — including her cat that disappeared about four weeks ago.
“I wouldn’t have let my cat out in the morning if I knew there was a cougar in the area,” she said.
While she’s concerned about pets in her neighborhood, she said her top concern is if the cougar decides to attack a person.
She has set up signs along parts of the Olympic Discovery Trail warning of the cougar, which she said has been seen many times between the Clallam County Fairgrounds and the Port Angeles Transfer Station.
“The [state Department of Fish and Wildlife] has not sent out warnings and [the cougar] has been spotted in front of a day care,” she said. “The only signs are the ones that I put up.
“You can’t miss them.”
The bright neon-colored signs warn of a cougar in the area and many missing cats.
Some have taken to social media to post warnings.
Sgt. Kit Rosenberger, of Fish and Wildlife, said there have been multiple reports of the cougar and reports of missing cats and said reports have been isolated to that area.
At this point officials are not trying to trap or relocate the animal, which Phillips believes might have kittens.
Rosenberger said cougars are difficult to trap unless the carcass of a recent kill is found.
“Unless we have a kill site where it is coming back, it’s hard to use dogs or set a trap because they are such big roamers,” he said. “We’re hoping it moves on on its own.”
He said cougar sightings in the Port Angeles area are not “out of the ordinary” and cougars typically move on.
Phillips said she wishes Fish and Wildlife would be more proactive about the cougar, which she believes has been in the area for months, though sightings have increased recently.
She said her neighbors have seen the large cat in the tree in their yard off and on throughout the past six months.
She often sees parents on the trail who let their children run ahead or behind them, which has her concerned, she said.
She’s also concerned for Serenity House’s clients.
“They are vulnerable,” she said. “If this thing is prowling all over the area and homeless people are sleeping outside, it’s not a good situation.”
Phillips said she emailed Port Angeles City Council members and shared her concerns, hoping to encourage officials to trap and relocate the cougar.
“What’s it going to take?” she asked. “Is it going to take a little kid getting jumped?”
Rosenberger said anyone who sees the cougar should call Fish and Wildlife at 877-933-9847.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
