CORVALLIS, Ore. (KATU) — The Benton County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, confirmed that a juvenile male cougar was euthanized just outside the city limits of northwest Corvallis after it killed livestock and was deemed a threat to human safety.
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Deputies were dispatched to Northwest Camellia Drive at 3:37 p.m. where they located and euthanized the animal.
The cougar had killed a goat the previous night and was believed to have returned to continue feeding on it. It was seen in multiple backyards during the day and showed no fear of people or deputies upon their arrival.
Officials suspect this cougar is one of those captured on cameras within Corvallis city limits, though not the frequently reported adult cougar.
Under Oregon law, cougars posing a threat to human safety may be lethally removed. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife emphasizes that euthanasia is a last resort, undertaken only after careful consideration.
“Cougars are an important part of Oregon’s ecosystem. Unfortunately, when they prey on livestock in a residential or agricultural area and become a threat to human safety, intervention becomes necessary,” said Undersheriff Don Rogers.
“The decision to euthanize wildlife is the last resort, but it is our responsibility to protect people and their animals.”
ODFW officials note that cougar attacks on livestock are not uncommon, often involving younger cougars or females with dependent young.
Residents in rural and edge-of-city areas are encouraged to take preventative measures, such as confining small livestock and pets in secure enclosures, using motion-activated lights, and reporting dangerous cougar behaviors to authorities.
In late August, officials reported at least eight cougar sightings in two weeks. Residents are urged to report sightings to the ODFW district office in Corvallis.