SELAH, Wash. – A cougar was spotted in Selah Tuesday afternoon, according to the Selah Police Department.
SPD says the cougar was seen at around 2 p.m. near the 500 block of South 1st Street behind the Red Rooster Bar & Grill. Officers and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) searched the area but could not find the cat.
WDFW will return to the area with tracking dogs to find the cougar. If you see a cougar, call 911.
WDFW says that while cougar attacks are extremely rare, they are possible. In the last 100 years, there have been around 20 total attacks with two resulting in death.
Some tips on how to deal with cougars from WDFW, which can be found on its website, include:
Lighting all walkways after darkPlanting plants that deer do not eat, as cougars may follow themPutting up tall chain-link or heavy woven wire fencesClosing off open spaces under buildingsKeeping pets indoors especially overnight
