Loose Mountain Lion in Southold, Long Island
October 24th, 2008 category: North Fork Neighborhoods, People and Places
Oh- and by the way- did you know that there’s a mountain lion running around in the Bayview neighborhood of Southold, New York?
If you’re going to make a “mountain lion sighting” checklist, it might be good to start off by letting someone know that there is a mountain lion hanging around in your back yard, or sunning in a driveway. A neighbor, relative, police…someone.
Evidently, this cat has been around for more than three months. It would seem odd enough with the first sighting, wouldn’t one think, that alerting people with small children, pets, selves, etc. would be AN ACTION TO TAKE (but evidently wasn’t)???
I guess that a trap that won’t fit the lion, even with “smelly catfood” in it, can be eliminated- it’s been tried.
Our waitress at lunch today was amazed that a side of beef was passed over as bait in favor of a can of nine lives!
If anyone feels the need to let someone know that they’ve seen the mountain lion in MY NEIGHBORHOOD, a few streets away- we couldn’t find the trap but wanted a photo of it- feel free to leave a comment, or photo of the mountain lion. I’ll forward it to someone sometime before it KILLS my small child, relative, pet…?????????????
yikes.
37 Responses to “Loose Mountain Lion in Southold, Long Island”
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October 27th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I feel the same way.
Some idiot (probably a City-ot) let his pet loose and now one or more of our kids will get hurt or worse. It’s like those black spot accident areas…they will only put a traffic light up after ’so many’ people get killed in the intersection. I guess the quota hasn’t been met yet in our neighborhood. Are they waiting for someone to get hurt before they do something? Or does it take a few dead bodies or missing children before they will do something?
OK, so last night they came through our neighborhood with search lights. wow. If I were a Mountain Lion, first thing I would do is run towards the light. (insert rolling eyes emoticon here) Yeah ….Right.
Even if this cat has been declawed and defanged, it is still capable of killing anything it wants. It still has all of its other teeth besides the fangs. It’s jaws are capable of biting down on a deer windpipe and crushing it with or without fangs. This could happen to one of our children.
And the stupid newspaper gives stupid advice, if you see it, raise your hands and look bigger… so assinine I am LOL! Let me tell you something, you will NOT see this mountain lion before it strikes. It kills by ambush. It will NOT let you see it before it pounces on you, except for that split second before it kills you as it’s jaws close over your windpipe.
I think if SPD has known about this cat for months they are horribly and inexcusably irresponsible, in fact, wreckless endangerment for our entire town. Something to think about legally if and when someone gets hurt or worse.
If they have known about this cat for so long, what have they been waiting for???!!!
Will this be considered another ‘Black Spot’ accident area?
October 27th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I’m visiting my daughter in Colorado as I read your comment. Mountain lions here are typically found in the foothills (when seen). If there were one running around this neighborhood, even in an area known for respecting natural habitats and wildlife, I am CERTAIN (having spent many years here) that it would be IMMEDIATELY reported, neighbors alerted, and every effort for a humane capture instigated right away. I completely agree with you, and am still stunned (as I watch walkers, kids, etc.) that this was not reported, and acted upon- you’re right: it would appear that action would post date the NEED for it, as they view it, AFTER someone were severely injured. I just don’t get it!!
I’d like to know whose cat it is- someone knows something, if the rumor is that it’s declawed (de-fanged? I doubt it).
October 27th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Spoke with hubby just a moment ago, and he said at 4am (when he gets up to run) the SPD was still out there with floodlights patrolling the neighborhood. What a friggin waste of manpower and our tax $$$!
Is it just a farce to make people think they are doing something about the problem? Cuz floodlights are not accomplishing a damn thing except driving the mountain lion into the woods deeper, away from the floodlights.
Why don’t they set more traps? How about hiring a professional with hunting dogs? It would be more cost effective and at least makes sense…logical problem solving.
I would not be surprised if the owner of this animal lets the cat in and out of the house like a domesticated cat.
I agree, someone knows something and isn’t telling. Hope it’s not a cop! (because of all the hush-hush and not informing the public 3 months ago…may be protecting one of their own?)
October 27th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Gee, a four a.m. run…looks like your family got lucky. When I read the paper, then recalled my eighty year old neighbor happily raking leaves at dusk, I wanted to strangle the “pet” owner.
The thing is, the woods END- at least mountains offer the promise (to the cat) that they can actually retreat. We aren’t in a location to offer this kind of retreat, making it that much more reprehensible.
I did comment to my sig. other that I hadn’t noticed as much road kill this spring/summer (before the cat news)- maybe this was the town’s way of solving the overabundance of deer. Sounds like a plan- unless you happen to have a beloved husband that jogs at dawn!!
October 29th, 2008 at 8:38 am
I went walking in the woods about a month ago right off main bayview and found a deer carcas (pretty bad) I called the town to removed it but it was on private property. Saw 3 more right after i think it was worth a look especially if they knew this thing was out there
October 29th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Concerned, AMAZING. You called the town when you saw a dead deer; others didn’t call when they saw a MOUNTAIN LION. A relative told me last night about an incident in Evergreen, Co. recently where a couple woke up to have a cat in their BEDROOM- it grabbed one of their golden retrievers and exited. On behalf of ALL of us ,thank you for taking the time to make the call- there has to be some way to rid ourselves of a menace (and get the cat back where he/she belongs, which most definitely is NOT here)!!
October 29th, 2008 at 10:57 am
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2008/09/01/Mountain_lion_sightings_prompt_study/UPI-82021220288727/
October 29th, 2008 at 11:00 am
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/3686950/detail.html
November 11th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
It’s been seen MANY times now since my last post, once by my neighbor (both lawyers) 2 houses down from us. Hubby said a lady who lives near the Cove Condo finally took pix of it so we are trying to get our hands on copies of the pix. If I can, I will post the pix here.
…JG
November 11th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
JG, I’d LOVE to see the photo. It’s amazing to me that Denise Civiletti was questioned for havng shared the lion info; what does the town expect a responsible local paper to do?
I’d MUCH rather know!
Pretending that is isn’t there doesn’t make it not there!!!
November 11th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
LOL…I agree…BUT…I wouldn’t call The Suffolk Times, let alone Denise Civiletti responsible. She is turning the Suffolk Times into our local version of The Enquirer.
The only reason she did it was for the sensationalism…that’s the driving force behind ANYthing she does. (just like she does whenever there is any sex scandals going on in the local schools, they get plastered on the front page before any factual evidence, no respect for victims privacy)
But anyway, back on topic, pretending that it isn’t there, is what the cops are doing. Someone will get hurt or killed before they take the problem seriously. Like I said before, like the ‘Black Spot’ accident areas. That’s what it’ll come to, unfortunately.
…JG
November 11th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Your opinion is likely shared by others- thank you for providing it. I’m just finishing up a “winterize everything” post. I kept wanting to insert: but don’t do any tasks at dusk, because there is a mountain lion loose in the neighborhood.
And, mountain lions stalk, and they BITE.
November 12th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Hi! I have copies of the photos – and have been in contact with the DEC – in particular a Michelle at the DEC (444-0306) who feels that the photos are that of a house cat sitting in grass about 12″ high. I DISAGREE! (laurie – I will email you the photos, I don’t see anywhere to post the images here) The SPD do not have the ability/ licenses to do what is needed to catch the Lion. I cannot blame them. The DEC is supposed to be the ones to take the claims seriously. Michelle states that she is yet to hear from anyone that has actually seen it directly contact her. So come on folks! I you are one of those that HAVE actually seen it call Michelle at the DEC! 444-0306. Lets get this cat out of our backyards and where it belongs.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
D.R.- thankyou!
Question: were these photos taken by the witnesses who saw a beige cat, or taken after the mountain lion had been seen, and this person believes that the cat in the photos is the mountain lion?
I’d like to hear a bit more from actual witnesses (at this point, my apologies to the woman who saw it twice, but presumed that authorities would think that she was crazy)- I’d like HER take on whether or not this is the one. I’ll see if we can get these up- with your permission (they are your photos, DR)! It would be great if all of the “beige” cat-seers were able to provide an opinion.
The fact that it was reported three months ago remains problematic for me, as do the intial witnesses- they sounded very believable.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
and D.R.- I’m happy to relieve the SPD of a “catching” requirement, if it doesn’t exist- but remaining on top of their TAKE on this seems pretty paramount. My neighbor was raking leaves at dusk again this evening- I paid more attention to “no mountain lion is going to get her” than I did to the end of Judge Judy.
She backs up to woods.
My office is a home office, with a window that sees two houses, both with woods behind them.
November 13th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
laurie – the initial eyewitness did warn her neighbors of what she saw, and we were very apprehensive to believe her – ‘a mountain lion sunning in a driveway?’ The cat looks dark because it is a silhouette. We feel it is dark tan. I wanted to go and walk into those grasslands just to see how high the grass is. Haven’t had a chance to do so yet.
I am not sure exactly who took the photos. I will get back to you if I do find out. I am interested as to when they were taken also – and by all means – Post the photos. I did not take the photos… it is up to the viewers to decide if they are of a house cat or a mountain lion…
November 13th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Can you email me the photos too please?
Please use this email:
swimmingjewels@yahoo.com
Thanks!
…JG
November 13th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I just found out from the website back end expert that this site doesn’t have the ability to post photos in responses.
Here’s my honest take on the photos, and with permission granted, I’m happy to email them:
The cat from a distance looks quite large, but like a cat.
It doesn’t appear to be an image where the viewer would wonder “what it is”- it’s a cat.
The initial witnesses couldn’t quite fathom what they saw, which a mountain lion image would provoke. To ME, (and I’m paranoid about this cat) if this is the description confirmed by the first people, there’s an abnormally large (likely feral) cat running around.
I can handle that.
There are too many question marks re. the first sighting (months ago), reports of an odd “thing”, that when viewed, was a large animal…
November 13th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Thanks for sending me the pix.
I see a cat too, not a mountain lion.
Heck, it might even be one of my 6 cats. (OMG!)
Anyway, my neighbor, 2 doors down, said what she saw a mountain lion, the size of a retriever dog. Definitely tan colored.
…JG
November 14th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
JG, this is not tan colored, and I’d guess not mistaken to be the size of a retriever.
Someone’ll get it, and when they do, let us all know!!
November 14th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I bought lunch at the North Road Deli today and Maryanne (my neighbor) told me that McCarthy Real Estate has pix of the mountain lion too. Are these the same pix that you sent me, or does Tom have a different set of pix?
So foggy tonight, no chance of pix.
We had dinner at Barbeque Bills.
Was like driving through Pea Soup coming home!
…JG
November 14th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I don’t know what pics Tom might have- it’s worth checking out, though!
BBQ Bills is great, as is the North Road Deli- we have some good food out here.
We have a dog as a guest for the weekend, and I’m scared to let him out- that’s AAALLL we’d need is for him to go missing!
November 17th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
My mother Ann lives on the Northfork in Greenport. We have been following the articles and sightings of the mountain lion. It would not be unusual for a mountain lion to be taking up residence in the Bayview area. In fact if anyone does some research on mountain lion sightings in the New York region they would see that there have been many legitimate sigthings. Even the most unsavy animal person can tell the difference between no tail and a tail. Whether the cat is an exotic plaything owned by the rich and famous now gone a muck or a cat that has claimed this area as its new territory dont you think its time to respond more aggresively. It would be easy enought to put up some motion sensor type cameras in the area that it was seen most recently. Certainly speaking to the woman that witnessed the cat dragging her turkey off the deck would be a start. These are not cute little walt disney characters, these are efficient killing machines as all big cats are. Why is the town dragging its feet on this. God forbid it goes for a child, how horrible would that be or even someone’s beloved pet. I am not convinced that the recent photo of the cat ambling through the marsh is a mountain lion but I am not convinced that it is not. We need some better photos and then people can go from there. My mom and I drive around Bayview this weekend and the area is a good area for a cat to hide out. There are thick woods that run right up to the beaches. There are many small meadows that connect both the shore with the woods. A cat could easily follow a corrider without ever being seen. However it has most likely learned to associate people with food when it cannot get hold of a deer. Before the guns are drawn why not pull out some high tech cameras and really capture this animal on film.
November 17th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Graham and Ann, I didn’t hear about the turkey- and that someone reported this.
I’m not at ll convinced that the black cat is a mountain lion, but that isn’t the description provided by others- as mentioned, what struck me were those that saw it, and didn’t know WHAT it was- they are odd looking, with small heads- not what people expect a “lion” to look like.
I agree with you 100%- to wait and decide that it’s in fact, here, AFTER someone is seriously injured (you’re also right on that count- these cats are quite powerful) instead of seeking ways to identify it once and for all NOW is like watching a train wreck. Thank you for your input- it’s appreciated!
November 18th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Well, I started walking again this morning. My daughter gets on the bus at 7:28 so I was walking seconds thereafter. Took the ROW through the woods to North Bayview Extension, with phone and camera. Took the 2 mile loop walk from North Bayview EXT to Jacobs Lane, to Main Bayview, to Cedar Drive back to North Bayview Extension and then cut back to my house using the ROW through the woods.
Will be doing this walk just about every weekday weather permitting. Will keep camera and phone with me at all times.
Didn’t get eaten.
Wish me luck!
…JG
November 19th, 2008 at 10:26 am
you’re VERY brave…
December 1st, 2008 at 4:40 am
The last post here on the mountain lion is dated 11/19 and I’m wondering if there have been any sightings since then. I just returned home after visiting family in Greenport. Around 3pm on Thanksgiving day I was outside on the side of the house. Across the street is an empty field of tall, dried reeds that surround a large pond & on the far side of the pond is the beach. The whole area is undeveloped & probably protected marshland with tall reeds and wild growth. There are deer in the area. As I was standing there, a large golden tan (color of a lion) cat emerged from the reeds, walked about 10 feet along the side of the road and went back into the reeds. I was stunned. I had read about the mountain lion sightings and thought holy smokes – there it is! It was definitely a cat, moving or slinking along like a cat, but far too large – maybe 3 ft long not including tail – to be a house cat. My immediate impression was that it was a young mountain lion. I went across the street to see if there were any tracks but where the cat walked was grass and no tracks were visible. I later showed a neighbor where I had seen the animal. He told me the police had determined the Southold Mt Lion was just a very large house cat. I can’t believe what I saw was a house cat so Laurie, I would love to see a picture if you can email me one.
December 1st, 2008 at 11:55 am
Hi, Jena- unfortunately, my computer did a crash- the pics bit the dust. One of our commentors has the pics- if you’ll leave your email, perhaps they’ll see your request!
The pics showed a black, large cat- not beige- and although it’s pretty big, it didn’t strike me as mountain lion (black would be very rare).
Did you call the police after your sighting? Maybe they can scour that area for tracks- the more they’re aware of possible sightings, the better. I’m certainly not convinced that we don’t have a mountain lion in the area!
December 1st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Thanks Laurie. If anyone reading this has a photo of the tan mystery cat, I would appreciate your emailing it to me at jdbreaze@aol.com. I did some online research and based on the photos I saw I have to say that the animal I saw looked like a young mountain lion. Judging by the size of my dogs, I’m guessing it was 30-35lbs, golden tan, heavy legs, moving gracefully like a cat. What struck me most was the heaviness of the legs. A number of websites discuss the fact that mountain lions are moving back east, fed by the ample supply of deer. There have been numerous sightings in NE states inclu CT.
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Yes – police have been called and are looking into Greenport cat sighting. Still would love to see picture of the tan cat if anyone has it. Thanks.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I heard last night at a Mattituck resturant that “something” got in a pig pen on Herricks Lane in Jamesport and killed five pigs. Left large scratch marks and 5 dead little piggies. If there is any truth to this then it is time to go a huntin’
December 15th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Jim, did anyone decide who the likely culprit is (or WHAT it is)? Keep us posted!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
If anyone sees this lion, and wants the problem to go away, email me at Lahistoriadogo@aol.com. It goes straight to my phone so I will contact you quickly most of the time. I can track down the puma and catch it quickly. Let’s not wait til someone dies.
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
After the snowstorm on Wednesday we saw very large pad footprints of a very large cat in Jamesport. We might of also caught a glimpse of this mountain lion in October on Herricks Lane. We did not know what it was but it was large and tan and was much bigger than a dog. Did not connect the sighting to the mountain lion until recent. Who do you report this information to?
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
cs, I would contact the police immediately- there has been enough circulating info that they should (had better!!) take your observation seriously, and go over to the area for further potential evidence. You’re describing the animal in the same way that others did- thank you for making the report!!
Laurie
September 18th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Is it possible that this or another mountain lion may have come to the south shore of Long Island? I live in East Quogue and someone I know thinks he may have seen a big cat 3-4 feet with a long tail that curls like a monkeys tail. I thought he was trying to scare me but I am starting to believe his discription as a mountain lion. We have a huge area of wood behind our house.
September 19th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
We haven’t heard anything re. the cat since the initial reports came in, but if your friend has seen a larger than normal cat with a small head, and curled tail, he should be in contact with authorities able to check for signs (droppings, tracks)- scary, huh?