Big cat reported near Lakeridge Junior High School, Westridge and Overlook Drive

UPDATE:

The Lake Osweqgo Police Department answered a call at about 6:45 a.m. Thursday morning from a resident in the 2800 block of Overlook in Lake Oswego reporting a cougar sighting in the rear yard of the family home that opens into a large green space.

“The youth reported seeing what he described as a cougar climbing down from a tree and running into the open space as he let the family's dog out early in the morning. There were no injuries and there were no other sightings in the area. As always, the police department asks that citizens report any (current) sightings by calling 9-1-1.”

Cougar sightings reported in LO

Police already had warned residents to be on the lookout for cougars in the city early this week.

Lake Oswego Police Sgt. Tom Hamann said his department received several reports earlier of possible cougar sightings around Central Avenue off Jean Road, near Lakeridge Junior High School. Later reports placed the cougar in a tree near Westridge Elementary School Monday afternoon.Some of the reports were for incidents that occurred a day or two earlier, including at dusk on Sunday.

Westridge was placed in a lock-in for several hours Monday before district officials lifted it.

Anyone who has seen an animal they think was a cougar in the general area around Jean Road and Central Avenue or Bryant Woods Park should call the police department's nonemergency number, 503-635-0238.

If you encounter one of the big cats, call 911, and keep your distance.

“We just want to make sure if people have seen it they let us know at the nonemergency number,” Hamann said, “and if they’re seeing it now, call 911.”

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife offers these tips for cougar encounters:

Cougars often will retreat if given the opportunity. Leave the animal a way to escape.

Stay calm and stand your ground.

Maintain direct eye contact.

Pick up children, but do so without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.

Back away slowly.

Do not run. Running triggers a chase response in cougars, and that could lead to an attack.

Raise your voice and speak firmly.

If the cougar seems aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands.

If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, tools or any items available.

More information about cougars can be found on the ODFW website at dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/cougars.asp.