Cougar sighting goes unheeded

Jayne Clowater Fluvanna County
Published: July 15, 2008

The Virginia Department Game and Inland Fisheries does not follow up on enough cougar sightings to become convinced that they are real.

I saw one cross my yard at top speed four times in June. Concerned for pets and livestock, I called the sheriff. They only deal with people problems. Animal control does do-mestic animal problems only. After three toll calls to Game and Inland Fisheries, I gave up. The warden who was to get back to me at “his convenience” never did.

I haven’t seen the animal since mid-June. Hopefully, it wasn’t shot by a local farmer or gun nut. If it was, whoever shot it isn’t likely to drag it in to the sheriff and announce that he’s just committed a state and federal crime.

Reports of sightings vanish into the ether.

I don’t believe in Sasquatch, the Yeti, Nessie or Champie. No UFOs either. I know the difference between a puppy and a kitten and between a coyote and a cougar. A bobcat has a bobbed tail.

So why is my report not even recorded? How many smoke signals does it take before someone says: Hey, maybe there’s fire?