Local News

Cops Criticized As Overzealous In Cougar Shooting

Mountain Lion Killed In North Side Alley Monday Evening

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Blood marks the spot where the cougar met his demise in an alley in Roscoe Village. It's not every day you see a wild animal roaming the streets of Chicago. For people who live on Hoyne Street, it's something they'll never forget.

"He came around the corner here looking to avoid pursuit," said witness Ron Litke, who has circled some of the paw prints left in his backyard.

Other neighbors say the real danger wasn't from the cougar, but from overzealous police officers.

"Maybe they could have tranquilized him, or just a couple shots," said area resident Jane Wharton. "Anyone could have been injured with all those shots. It's just out of hand."

According to witnesses, as many as two dozen shots were fired on the residential street. There was no official word from police Tuesday on that, but Supt. Jody Weis is defending the officers who opened fire.

"As the officer approached, the cougar charged at the officer," Weis said. "He had to shoot it to protect his life."

The cougar was gunned down just a block away from a grade school. The principal was among those who called police. They were especially concerned because after-school programs were still in session.

"If a cougar attacked a child, you'd be suing the city, you'd be filing lawsuits because the police officer didn't do his job," Mayor Richard M. Daley said in response to criticism of the shooting.

Controversy aside, zoologists say don't be alarmed if there are more cougar sightings in the Chicago area, and they're not talking about in a cage at a zoo.

"I don't actually think it's all that surprising," said zoologist Dr. Steve Thompson of the Lincoln Park Zoo. "We have a lot of evidence the population is increasing."

There have been a handful of cougar sightings in the state so far this year.

Although they don't know for sure, Wilmette police believe the same cougar spotted in their village Saturday traveled down the North Shore Canal and ended up in Roscoe Village.

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