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August 25, 2004
Cougar shot after livestock damage
By Dan Schreiber, Coos Bay World Staff Writer
A female cougar was killed with a gunshot to the head by a U.S. Department of Agriculture wildlife specialist outside McKinley on Tuesday morning after a couple there discovered three of their goats had been mauled by the cat.
Randy Lyles noticed Saturday morning one of her goats was missing. Her husband, Steve Lyles, said his dog acted as if there were something lurking in the area on their mountainside land where the goats grazed.
The next morning, two more goats were missing, Randy Lyles said. That's when she called 911 and was transferred to Dave Pinello, the USDA specialist from Coos County.
"We try to capture and euthanize the cougar," Pinello said, adding he has killed numerous cougars this year in Coos County, but would not comment on an exact number.
Pinello said he used his pack of hound dogs to tree the cat before he shot it. The hunt lasted a half-hour, Pinello said. Oregon law states it is legal for proper authorities to kill cougars if human safety or agricultural damage is involved.
"We've been designated by Fish & Wildlife to be the agency responsible for a human safety attack," Pinello said.
Bill Kinyoun, of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, took samples of the slain mountain lion including the stomach, reproductive tract and teeth. Kinyoun said the cougar was pregnant with three kittens.
"Of course with this one, the reproductive tract was easy to find because it was full," Kinyoun said about the 98-pound feline that he estimated to be between 3 and 5 years old.
Kinyoun also said he will send the stomach to Roseburg where researchers are investigating a recently discovered cougar affliction involving stomach worms called cylicospirura felineus. According to reports in late April from the Rogue Valley, six of seven cougars killed by humans there since January have been found to carry the worms. In a weakened state, the cougars with the parasite tend to hunt more susceptible prey such as livestock and house pets as opposed to wild game such as deer.
Del Knight, who lives across the valley from the Lyles, said his house cat went missing shortly before the goats were killed.
"He was a faithful, big male. He's been around for about 14 years," Knight said. "He's just disappeared for the first time."
Kinyoun attributes this cougar's behavior to it being pregnant, and doesn't think the cat had the worms.
"To make an educated guess, it had a uterus full of kittens, it needed a quick easy meal and it took a goat," Kinyoun said. "She needed some energy."
Knight said this year, the animals living around his home have been acting strange.
"Everything's pretty much spooked out here and we've been watching the kids," Knight said about his grandchildren. "It's been unusual this year, but you know, we're the ones who kind of live out where (cougars) live."
Randy Lyles describes herself as an animal lover and said she is uneasy about having called a trapper to kill the cougar, but it was a necessary safety measure.
"I feel bad about it but if it hadn't happened there would have been four hungry cougars around here," Randy Lyles said, adding she gave her remaining goat to friends so it would no longer be threatened. "This is their world, too. I miss the goats but I feel bad."
The Lyles said they consider themselves fortunate for not having dealt with cougars in the past, considering where they live and because of how traumatic the whole ordeal has been.
"Already the vultures are circling," Randy Lyles said. "I don't want to draw them any nearer."
Kinyoun said he sent the cat's body to Timberline Taxidermy outside Coquille. He said it will be legal for the Lyle to keep the cat's hide because the incident was part of an agricultural damage complaint.
Cougar shot after livestock damage
By Dan Schreiber, Coos Bay World Staff Writer
A female cougar was killed with a gunshot to the head by a U.S. Department of Agriculture wildlife specialist outside McKinley on Tuesday morning after a couple there discovered three of their goats had been mauled by the cat.
Randy Lyles noticed Saturday morning one of her goats was missing. Her husband, Steve Lyles, said his dog acted as if there were something lurking in the area on their mountainside land where the goats grazed.
The next morning, two more goats were missing, Randy Lyles said. That's when she called 911 and was transferred to Dave Pinello, the USDA specialist from Coos County.
"We try to capture and euthanize the cougar," Pinello said, adding he has killed numerous cougars this year in Coos County, but would not comment on an exact number.
Pinello said he used his pack of hound dogs to tree the cat before he shot it. The hunt lasted a half-hour, Pinello said. Oregon law states it is legal for proper authorities to kill cougars if human safety or agricultural damage is involved.
"We've been designated by Fish & Wildlife to be the agency responsible for a human safety attack," Pinello said.
Bill Kinyoun, of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, took samples of the slain mountain lion including the stomach, reproductive tract and teeth. Kinyoun said the cougar was pregnant with three kittens.
"Of course with this one, the reproductive tract was easy to find because it was full," Kinyoun said about the 98-pound feline that he estimated to be between 3 and 5 years old.
Kinyoun also said he will send the stomach to Roseburg where researchers are investigating a recently discovered cougar affliction involving stomach worms called cylicospirura felineus. According to reports in late April from the Rogue Valley, six of seven cougars killed by humans there since January have been found to carry the worms. In a weakened state, the cougars with the parasite tend to hunt more susceptible prey such as livestock and house pets as opposed to wild game such as deer.
Del Knight, who lives across the valley from the Lyles, said his house cat went missing shortly before the goats were killed.
"He was a faithful, big male. He's been around for about 14 years," Knight said. "He's just disappeared for the first time."
Kinyoun attributes this cougar's behavior to it being pregnant, and doesn't think the cat had the worms.
"To make an educated guess, it had a uterus full of kittens, it needed a quick easy meal and it took a goat," Kinyoun said. "She needed some energy."
Knight said this year, the animals living around his home have been acting strange.
"Everything's pretty much spooked out here and we've been watching the kids," Knight said about his grandchildren. "It's been unusual this year, but you know, we're the ones who kind of live out where (cougars) live."
Randy Lyles describes herself as an animal lover and said she is uneasy about having called a trapper to kill the cougar, but it was a necessary safety measure.
"I feel bad about it but if it hadn't happened there would have been four hungry cougars around here," Randy Lyles said, adding she gave her remaining goat to friends so it would no longer be threatened. "This is their world, too. I miss the goats but I feel bad."
The Lyles said they consider themselves fortunate for not having dealt with cougars in the past, considering where they live and because of how traumatic the whole ordeal has been.
"Already the vultures are circling," Randy Lyles said. "I don't want to draw them any nearer."
Kinyoun said he sent the cat's body to Timberline Taxidermy outside Coquille. He said it will be legal for the Lyle to keep the cat's hide because the incident was part of an agricultural damage complaint.
