Cougar's killing by police prompts controversy

There is debate over the decision to shoot and kill a 150-pound cougar in Roscoe Village.

The 5-foot-long animal was found roaming the neighborhood Monday. Chicago police followed and contained the animal in an alley before shooting it. Some are questioning that decision.

"That seemed very strange to me. I couldn't figure out why they didn't have an animal control officer with them if they were chasing a cougar," said Phyllis Ellin, Roscoe Village neighbor.

Police said they had no choice but to shoot the cougar. After chasing it all afternoon, officers finally had it cornered in an alley. That's when four officers opened fire, killing the huge cat. Police said they were concerned the cougar would attack someone in the neighborhood.

"The cougar charged at the officer. The officer had no other choice but to defend himself. Again, split-second decision in protecting himself as well as others around him and the community," said one officer.

Some Roscoe Village neighbors continue to question that decision.

"I think he would have been more scared of us than we were of him," said Brenda Beaver, Roscoe Village neighbor.

"There is no real harm or danger at issue. These coyotes and cougars, they are very shy, timid animals. They are not going to attack people under any circumstances. So the fear is just that, fear," said Joan Dahlberg, president of the Chicago Humane Society,

Dahlberg said the Chicago Humane Society is outraged by the shooting. She wonders why police weren't prepared with a tranquilizer or able to find someone from animal control who had one.

"First of all, there is such a thing as preparedness. They should be prepared for any incident. They should have this equipment available to them at all times," said Dahlberg.

But many neighbors in the area are siding with police. Someone even posted a sign on a tree thanking the Chicago police for a job well done.

According to police, animal control was en route at the time of the shooting, but they said the officer had to make a life-saving decision.

Animal control is doing a thorough examination of the animal's carcass to try to determine where it came from.

It is illegal for anyone to have a cougar as a pet in Cook County.