Wheaton police probe second cougar sighting

A possible paw print was discovered Tuesday by Wheaton police officers investigating the city's second cougar sighting in as many weeks.

Deputy Chief Tom Meloni said the latest sighting happened during the day near a creek in the area of Bridle Lane and Cole Avenue.

An eyewitness described the cat as large and black. Officers checking the area found a possible paw print, Meloni said. A photograph of the print will be examined by a wildlife expert.

Tuesday's incident comes on the tail of another possible sighting.

On Friday, a woman told police she may have seen a cougar about dusk Sept. 4 while she was running with her dog in Northside Park. She described the dark-colored cat as being larger than her dog, which weighs 60 pounds.

During that incident, the cat fled into a wooded area when approached by the woman's dog.

In the meantime, Meloni said officers will continue to patrol the area. He urged anyone spotting a cougar or any other unusual animal to immediately call 911.