Suburban Residents Report Possible Cougar Sightings

Residents in suburban North Chicago are on edge today. As many as seven large cat sightings have been reported there since Friday.

A large cat, possibly a cougar, has been seen roaming near houses and even on top of a youth center. The last sighting was on Sunday when North Chicago police got several reports that the cat had entered the Lake County Forest Preserves. Police Chief Michael Newsome says one of his officers saw the cat walking near his squad car.

NEWSOME: According to him it was about 30 to 40 inches tall, had a long tail between 20 to 25 inches of tail, pretty thick. A pretty nice sized cat, according to him. His approximate weight, between 200 to 250.

There have been a number of big cat sightings in recent years, but only two cougars have been positively identified in Illinois since the 1860s. Newsome says residents who see this animal should call 911 and get to a safe location.