Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Cougar on the Greenbelt...

was shot and killed by Boise Police last night. They evidently found it eating out of a dumpster 200 yards from BSU. Sad that this poor cat was hungry enough that he made his way into town. Sad that he had to die.

Unfortunately, people will be really mad at BPD for shooting the cat.  The thing they don't understand is that if the cat had been treed, they would have had time to call Fish and Game.  They also don't understand that most Fish and Game OFFICERS aren't trained with tranquilizer guns and aren't allowed to use them.  They usually have to call in a biologist.

With the cat on the ground, I'm sure the BPD officer knew he had a hard decision to make.  Call in a biologist from as far away as Nampa and hope the cat would continue eating out of the dumpster, or realize that the cat was probably going to take off back to the river and could potentially hurt someone (or more than likely, scare the beegeeziz out of someone).  So, in all reality, that officer made the only decision he could.

So, for the next few day, both BPD and Fish and Game will be taking a lot of heat - until something more worthy of the publics wrath comes along.  Bummer for all involved.

7 comments:

kate said...

It's very sad that that beautiful cat had to be killed, but you're right, given the situation I think that officer made the right choice. I'm fairly certain he did so with a heavy heart.

Dee said...

I agree. It is sad that the poor thing had to be killed, but he was starving and may have caused serious damage to humans or pets. (small humans).

I'm sure the officer was also sad that he had to do that.

Kev said...

If that happen here the officer would have to face a months long IA investigation, oral panel interview, polygraph, psychologist clearing, medical exam and forensics on bullet and his duty gun. In seriousness it does stink for all....

jaci said...

Very Sad for all involved. Too bad the cat was so hungry he had to go dumpster diving. :((

Anonyvox said...

You aren't kidding about the heat these guys are taking--every armchair quarterback in the world has an opinion on how it would have gone so much better if they'd been in charge. It makes me pretty cranky! I'm the only one allowed to verbally abuse my husband, dammit!

Anonymous said...

Idaho Fish and Game is doing a horrible job of managing wolves but the circumstances with the cat made killing it the only option. Too bad.

Jodi said...

Casey, I so agree.