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Horses attacked by cougars
Published Friday, November 21, 2008
Two cougar attacks on horses have taken place in Otter Tail County within the past week, one just southeast of Fergus Falls and the other south of Erhard.
About 4 p.m. Wednesday Kim Pederson, after arriving home south of Erhard east of Highway 59, found one of her horses severely injured. She called Lake Region Equine in Elbow Lake. Upon arrival, Dr. Kathy Seifert performed surgery on the horse, an older mare.
Claw marks were evident on the face of the horse and there were deep wounds to the neck. Several stitches were required. One eye was severely injured.
The horse owned by Pederson and her husband, Jerry, didn’t need to be taken to the equine center at Elbow Lake for recovery. However, another horse injured by a cougar southeast of Fergus Falls, owned by Roger and Margo Schuetzle, did require hospitalization at the equine center.
Over the years there have been documented cases of cougar attacks on horses in Minnesota. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in most cases, seeks definitive proof such as footprints and hair.
Males have an average weight of 115 to 160 pounds In rare cases, some may reach over 260 pounds. Female average weight is between 75 and 105 pounds.
In many cases veterinarians such as Seifert of Lake Region Equine can ascertain cougar attacks through marks on a horse or other animal.
A cougar, according to state DNR officials, will oftentimes attack by jumping on the back of its prey leaving long, deep scratch marks down the animal’s back. The cat will then bite to the neck area, which was the case with the horse owned by the Pedersons.
A method used by a cougar is to try and kill prey by clamping off the trachea of the animal with a bite to the neck.
In its pre-settlement days, Minnesota was prime cougar habitat — as was most of North America. With the settlement of the area, cougars were slowly chased off their established territory. Many were hunted and killed to remove the threat to humans and livestock.
Currently, the existence of cougars is not in dispute. But attacks, according to the DNR, don’t happen very often. Nonetheless, cougar attacks and people seeing cougars have been reported in the Milaca area southeast of Brainerd. Other cougars and injuries to horses and other animals have been reported at Cambridge, east of St. Cloud, and near McGregor, southwest of Duluth.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by BeaverFan (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I saw two cougars outside the entrance of Mabel's last Saturday night!
Go BSU!
Posted by Lala (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yikes! This is a scarey story!
Posted by skeptik (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Beaver, were they between 75 & 105 pounds? Doubt it - not in these parts.
Posted by goingfishing (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've heard several reports of Cougar sightings verified by tracks in the Fergus, Dalton and Underwood areas.
Everybody should be made aware of them being in the area and watch out for them.
DNR seems to be in denial about their existance in this area, so thanks to the DJ for finally printing something on them so the public is aware.
Posted by gumball (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Doesn't Mabel's have a "Cougar Nite" where the ladies find/bring a guy ten years younger?
Posted by Golden (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cougars definitely roam this area and all over this state. I saw one 3 times at my house in central OTC in November 2005, all at night. Scariest situation I've ever been in.
Posted by waxwing069 (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, Guess I have to be careful at nights when I go to work, we live on the SE edge of town. Am glad the horses wern't hurt any worse or killed...
Posted by BeaverFan (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No...your right skeptik...they were both "rare cases"....over 260 pounds each.
Posted by votedem (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The 'cougar' population increases dramatically during the summer months in OTC. Many cougars migrate up here from the Minneapolis area.
Posted by takemyradio (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There are always dirty cougars at we fest... they're pretty vicious as well.
Posted by melindakay (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did you really have to put the sad picture of the horse on the front web page?
Posted by Lilly (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have heard from people that they have seen them on the edge of town. Hello of course they had to put the picture of the horse on the web page. This is a scary deal and people need to take this seriously. Animals and pets can and are getting hurt. If we see what the cougar has done to the horse maybe it will make everyone realize that this is something that needs to be looked at and when I say everyone that includes the DNR.
Posted by Brekin (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We need some of the young college aged men to make themselves more available at the area bars. Attacking horses is a sign of real desperation. I'm in my late 30's otherwise I would be more than happy to take on a cougar.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Once I heard of a cougar watching kids wait for the bus for several mornings, (not around here). One of the parents took care of it. Bang,! I don't blame him.
Posted by andtongs (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think some of you readers do not know what a cougar is. It is a large cat with big claws and a very long tail with no tuft on the end. Also if they are black they are called “Panthers” if tan or yellow brown then they are cougars or mountain lions. In either case they do not hang out in bars, prefer to live in the forest and sleep in dens. Read a book. Read your Bible!
Posted by waxwing069 (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm more concerned about the people around here, especially children, Cougars on the West Coast are known to attack, kill, and eat people on the mountain trails. And I agree with andtongs, some of the comments on this are ridiculous, even stupid. People, this is a very serious, and real threat here, don't think it's something to joke around about.. These are large predatory carnivores..
Posted by takemyradio (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You're just reading the wrong book, sir.
1. Cougar
An older woman who frequents clubs in order to score with a much younger man.
source: urbandictionary.com
Posted by takemyradio (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
PS - It is indeed a serious situation, therefore lighthearted comedic remarks help us journal posters stay sane. It'll be ok. Promise. Haven't you seen Ghost in the Darkness?
Posted by walleye29 (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Do all cougars disciminate? I am 52 and have a home on Otteriail.
Posted by gumball (anonymous) on November 22, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh walleye29, you might find a "cougar" or two at the VFW club willing to take the bait. And to andtongs, I do know what a real cougar looks like. Sorry, I just couldn't resist the joke. We had a cougar on Long Lake years ago. It was drinking water down by our shoreline when we walked home from our aunt's next door. My Dad whisked us inside the cabin before it turned around. The wild cougars in the woods are deadly, the "cougars" in the bar are amusing. Old men trying this are called "panthers". Thank you and good nite.
Posted by BloopTriple (anonymous) on November 22, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I did a Google search on "cougars on prowl" to do a little research and find out more. The results were alarming.
Did you guys know there are neked ladies on the internet?
Posted by BeaverFan (anonymous) on November 22, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A good cougar hunter will set up a stand near the restrooms...and bait them with a cheap bottle of cabernet. Works every time.
Posted by melindakay (anonymous) on November 22, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Y'all are having quite a bit of fun with this double entendre on cougars. I'm thinking the overabundance of cougars at local bars might have to do with the severe drought of "normal" middle-aged, single men in FF. Trust me, I've done my research on this one. :) (Not for me, of course.)
Posted by Callie25 (anonymous) on November 22, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Melinda, I don't think these guys here would know what to do with a cougar if they saw one :)
Posted by takemyradio (anonymous) on November 22, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
quote: "Old men trying this are called "panthers""
Actually,
I've always heard the term Silver Fox used to describe men in this situation. Although timid, these Fox can prove to be quite agile at times.
2. Silver Fox
An older gentleman who, despite his gray hair, --or maybe because of it-- is dead sexy.
urbandictionary.com
Posted by mls (anonymous) on November 22, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is about awareness people. There is a wild predator out there that tried to take down a 1000 pound horse. This predator what ever it is would not hesitate to have a smaller animal or pet for a snack. Remember in the scheme of things humans are also part of the food chain.
Posted by lookitup (anonymous) on November 22, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
melindakay - how did you know the horse was sad? because he had a long face!!!
Posted by Joe (anonymous) on November 22, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kim & Jerry, Roger & Margo - I am very saddened by what has been placed on your plate. Most likely the same animal - a young male. My sympathies. Wild animals will act out on their instincts. Nature is not good nor bad - it is just nature. And ours is all part of coexisting with nature. I hope your companions heal as best they are able.
Posted by buzzman55 (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 1:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The trouble is with these reported sightings is that if DNR officals don't actually see it with their own eyes they won't believe it for the simple fact that their butts are buried up to their eyeballs.
Posted by mls (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 4:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To Joe "Thank you. "
Posted by alpha (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So if we see a cougar on our property can we shoot to kill to protect ourselves and our animals?
I was told the DNR is responsible for them being here, supposedly they brought 4 cougars here a few years ago and dropped them off north of fergus...maybe that's why they seem to be in denial? If they admitted to it now with all the attacks happening they'd have a mob of angry citizens after them and their butts would be 'up to their eyeballs' in lawsuits.
Posted by takemyradio (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a pretty far stretch to say the DNR is responsible for cougars being in the area. This is cougar territory, my friend. We have bald eagles, moose, the occasional bobcat, wolf, lynx, etc. There may not be a lot of these animals nearby, but with the huge amount of uninhabited and wooded land, they're definitely around. I'm sure the DNR not only believes but KNOWS there are cougars around, but to keep the public from freaking out they keep quiet on the matter....It's just an animal, people. Look at where we live.
Posted by BeaverFan (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I dont think you can blame the DNR for the cougars. The cougars are a result of the increased sex drive in older females couple with the high divorced rates. The cougar usually has cubs which can also be attractive to the cougar victim. Cougar cubs can usually be found still living in the cougar den. Beware.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am begining to wish they had written "Mountain Lion" in the headline instead of "Cougar" . ;) :)
Posted by jojo (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I do NOT like the humor on this page!!!! It is a SERIOUS deal people have been KILLED by cougars!!! I personally know of someone and I dont think his family would like the jokes!!!
Posted by Callie25 (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Geez lighten up. There isn't much you can do about the animals in the wild.
Posted by waxwing069 (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
@ Callie
Lighten UP??? That's easy for you to say, you have never had any real conflicts with Cougars I am sure. Try telling the owners of those horses to "lighten up" or the families and victims of actual real cougar attacks. It's only a matter of time before they start preying on pets, and people.. Then are you still going to say "lighten up" Don't get me wrong, I love wildlife and all animals. but the fact remains, these are dangerous animals, and I for one am scared to go out at night to my car for work, since I live SE of town and by a swampy/woodsy area.
Posted by oh_its_you (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The reason that cougars are being spotted more and more (the feline kind) is becuase of people over taking their habitats. They have less and less space to live becuase of people who want to build that bigger house on the undeveloped lot. And by the way, cougars (again the feline kind) have been around the area and even more so to the north for many many years. Be smart and you will be OK. Wild animals preying on other animals is a part of nature and you can't go about changing nature. As for the other kind of cougars, HAHAHAHAHA I love all of the comments!
Posted by BeaverFan (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One way to protect yourself from a cougar attack is to wear Old Spice cologne. Modern cougars have a very developed sense of smell and can pick up fine scents like Drakar, Aqua de Gio, and Eternity from three bars away. I myself have been a victim of a cougar attach. Luckily, I wasn't killed...although I had to perform the "walk of shame" the following morning. It was traumatic.
Posted by lookitup (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jojo - if you don't like the humor, stop reading the comments. You really won't be missing much.
Posted by luvmyboys (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK BeaverFan, I have to say... THAT was funny! And you admit to falling prey! Priceless :-)
Posted by takemyradio (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If I was attacked by an actual wild cougar and someone made a joke about old ladies in bars being similarly aggressive at times, I would laugh. If you can't find humor in the things you can't control in life, you're doomed.
Posted by BeaverFan (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
waxwing069 and jojo - with attitudes like that..you'll never be attacked by a cougar. Cougars are people too.
Posted by HoldenCaulfield (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this is great. i love it. ya, to bad for the horses but you people ran with it. the comic relief is fantastic. BRAVO!!!!!
Posted by ranger (anonymous) on November 28, 2008 at 11:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dont blame the DNR for the large cats. When I came to Fergus in 95 there was one running the river behind the mall by Kennedy Park. We were told by the DNR to keep it from causing damage. (take that as your conscious deems fit) We tried but could never find it. Pumas, Mountain Lions, Panthers have found their way around here for years. Notice I did not use the "C" word. (some women find the "C' word offensive. {cougar}) Seriously though, they are around here and the DNR did not plant them, trust me they wanted them gonzo.
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