Opinion

Police have duty to people, not cougars

Posted May 09, 2008 11:00 pm

Linda Kimsey (Fence Post, April 29) wonders why four Chicago police officers chased the cougar "all day" instead of firing a tranquilizer dart to subdue the animal.

There is a simple and clear explanation for that. Chicago police officers do not, and never have carried tranquilizer darts.

The reason? Tranquilizer darts if used on a human have unpredictable effects and may result in death. Therefore, the risk is greater than the possible benefit.

So, if the officers indeed did pursue the cougar "all day," they had no choice until they had it in position to kill it.

Chicago police are not involved in animal control. Their job is to protect people.

Then why not call in Animal Control specialists? Someone did. Animal Control arrived 90 minutes after the cougar was killed.

James R. Schaefer

Mount Prospect

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