Our first Winter cougar

People fail to think of the implications of their actions. It would be so much nicer if they would spay or neuter their pets instead of dropping the unwanted babies in the country. I guess they do not pay attention to the idea that they are encouraging pests and predators.

That is insane, people are completely ignorant to their actions so innocents must always suffer the consequences because of it. Its like someone said on here earlier, lets dump these people in the middle of no where with no means of supporting themselves and see how they fair against an unforgiving wild. This is sometimes why I don't like the holidays, people like this make uninformed purchases or adoptions for a loved one. Then when they bring said animal home for the holidays, the harsh truth happens, it is welcomed but mostly not wanted. It maybe liked for a while but then they stop caring because it gets older and is not as cute or not the type they truly wanted or might even be allergic. So of course the animal is dumped someplace and suffers for it. The cougars on the other hand are going to do anything to survive, so its not hard to imagine them attacking those who live in and around tge wilderness. I guess when you do, always tread with caution and use common sense, don't leave the small dog or cat outside if you heard there was a dangerous animal spotted in the area.

Beautiful animals. I'd hate to see one up close and personal though. There have been sightings around here.

I have heard that they can be very dangerous. I read that there was one in California that was stalking the paths that people jogged on and it did attack a woman who was jogging. It is a shame that people dump animals. Feeding the aggression of a cougar makes it even worse.

Savypat, Cougars are dangerous. Cougars were never meant to live around people. We humans interfered with their natural habitat.

It obviously is not good to just dump animals, especially when they are not used to fending for themselves, and this may attract more cougars than normal. On the other hand, the cougars would probably still come around, even if people did not dump their unwanted animals. The fact is that any domestic animal can attract cougars, and they will view them as an easy meal. It is definitely a dangerous situation for our smaller animals and young children, but as you said, even adults and larger animals are at risk, and people need to be cautious and aware and take extra safety precautions, especially in the winter when prey is more scarce.

I guess this is one of the places where I can consider myself to be lucky that we are raising our children in a city as opposed to in the country, but I do have to admit that I would love to be able to move our family out to the country. The dangers that we have here for losing our children are strangers that are able to lure children away, but my children at least do know that they are not to talk to strangers and there are always eyes on the children.