The Dodge County Sheriff's Department is Warning Residents of the Dodge Center Area about a Cougar that was spotted in a resident's back yard. The sighting took place north of Highway Street in the Airport Drive area. According to the facebook post, Deputies searched the area tonight and located the cougar in the field north of North Street and Airport Drive. The Deputy watched the cougar with binoculars as it retreated further into the field, and notified the Minnesota DNR of the sighting.
The Sheriff’s Office wants to remind everyone, while cougar sightings are rare, people should remain cautious and vigilant. We recommend extra caution while using the parks and trails in that area and refrain from being alone in those areas for now. Cougars are typically most active from dusk to dawn, although they sometimes travel and hunt during the day and prey on local species such as deer, rabbits, coyotes, small rodents and occasionally pets and livestock.
in red below.
To Keep residents safe the Sheriff's Department reminds everyone: "IF YOU ENCOUNTER THE COUGAR - Face the cougar directly, raise your arms to make yourself appear larger and speak loudly and firmly. This behavior is in direct conflict with a cougar's tendency to hunt by stalking and attacking from ambush. Do not run, crouch or lay on the ground. If it attacks, fight back aggressively. Pick up small children immediately. Cougars often will retreat if given the opportunity. Always leave the animal an escape route
Do not shoot the animal, even if livestock or pets are threatened. Cougars are a protected species and may only be killed by a licensed peace officer.
Anyone who observes the cougar is urged to call 9-1-1 to report it immediately. If you can safely do so, from inside your vehicle or home, try and take a photograph of the cougar so the sighting can be documented for the DNR."