Killing of cougar in Omaha deemed right call because of 'huge public safety risk'

[Omaha Steve]

MARK DAVIS/THE WORLD-HERALD
A mountain lion spotted near 120th and Q Streets had a broken leg and wasn’t moving. After consulting with experts, police shot and killed it. It was then taken away by animal control officers.

http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/killing-of-cougar-in-omaha-deemed-right-call-because-of/article_eedf143a-f1dc-5ead-86dc-3c32628920e2.html

POSTED: THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015 11:15 PM
By Kevin Cole / World-Herald staff writer

A Nebraska Humane Society representative said Thursday that public safety trumped the potential for capturing a mountain lion, which ended up being killed by police near 120th and Q Streets.

Three officers from the Omaha Police Department used handguns and shotguns to kill the 120-pound cat after it was spotted about 5 p.m. Wednesday lying on the ground outside the Project Harmony child protection center. The Police Department’s unit for investigating physical and sexual assaults is based in the building.

“Due to the fact that it was in a heavily populated area, with kids inside Project Harmony, the police made the right decision on shooting,” said Mark Langan, vice president of field operations for the Humane Society. “It was a tough decision to make, but there was a huge public safety risk having the mountain lion in a public area like this.”

The Humane Society contacted the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium on Wednesday to get “a proper dosage” for immobilizing the big cat before the decision to shoot it was made. Afterward, it was discovered that the cat had a broken leg.

FULL story at link. Related Story @ link.

Omaha police officers shoot, kill mountain lion outside Project Harmony near 120th, Q Streets

[leftofcool]

1. This is a tough one.

I sure don't advocate the killing of wild animals but this one being close to kids is really tough. Sounds like the animal was not doing anything wrong and I don't understand why it couldn't have been rendered immobile instead of being shot. On the other hand, one kid getting to close and all that. Wish they could have been able to fix his leg then let him go.

[Koinos]

2. Haven't they heard of using darts?

[951-Riverside]

3. MURDER!

I'm sorry but killing a 50 something year old woman who just wanted to feel young again by having sex with a younger gentleman is just wrong! Shame on the Omaha police!

Edit: Nevermind, forget everything I just said.

[In_The_Wind]

4. +1