Monday, November 30, 2009

Chasing tail

Oh....not exactly the chasing tail you might have in mind.

A staff member from Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife used a dog to assist in the chase and attempted capture of a male cougar. The cougar apparently lived in Seattle for more than two weeks, forcing the city's largest park to close, before it was finally captured and returned to the wild. This is a very rare occurrence in Washington but someone had to lead the capture.
Note to Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife: Did you discuss this in the interview process?

In addition to the every day job duties, what about chasing cougars?
Why, yes!

But I am certain he thought you meant the other kind of vodka- swilling, tight-shirted cougar and NOT the 8 foot long stalk-and-ambush predator. I don't think fatigues, even if woven from a magical thread meant to make your employee invisible, would protect him from a carnivore that loves to eat what it can catch. What can it catch? Anything that runs less than 40 m.p.h. While attacks on humans are rare, they typically occur when the animal feels cornered or their instinct to chase is triggered.

I am sure chasing a cougar on foot with a dog at your side will only give the impression you come to offer a tummy rub. Better watch yourself. And make sure you have life insurance.

PS: Cougars think dogs are delicious too.

61 comments:

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

How do I miss this stuff? I know I can rely on you to report the news in a more palatable (dare I say Jon Stewart-ish) fashion?

And on the next day,did camo guy and his dog go after Grizzly bear?

mommytoalot said...

LOL..now this title got my attention.
Awww dogs are the best, but cougars..not so much.

Will Burke said...

Is he new & being initiated? Or did he lose a bet?

Lee said...

You don't think that was in the job description??

mo.stoneskin said...

One day someone will make the mistake of chasing a cougar after chasing a cougar.

ellen abbott said...

In my neck of the woods, we have alligators that have come to live in the bayou that runs through town. They started out smallish but now they are biggish. And those idiots that live in the condos and apartments along the bayou feed them, throw them food scraps. What about having an 8 foot alligator in their backyard don't they understand?

Liz Mays said...

It just looks like they're out for a friendly jog. Where are the tools, protective devices, implements, gear, and safety equipment?

Maybe I'm over thinking this post.

Mandy said...

Maybe that cop was looking to add a little variety to his holiday feast. Of course, I'm sure that cougar was thinking the same thing about he and the dog.


On a personal note, I hope your Thanksgiving holiday was a great one! I'm thankful to have found your site and gotten to know you a little through this crazy land called bloggyville.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Not in a million years. Glad no one was hurt though. But not in a million years would I do this.

sheila said...

WOW! Dangerous, yet exciting! I'd love that job. (until the cougar ran towards me, lol)

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

Whoa! I'd say the cougar can go wherever he pleases. Perhaps a tazer would come in handy?

Kate said...

Wow thats crazy! I feel lucky now that the biggest danger I face is an angry cat!

Kate x
http://secretofficeconfessions.blogspot.com/

Mrs. M said...

I was a little worried about that dog! :)

Joshua said...

Not really how you track a cougar. I guess he pulled the short straw on that chase.

-Joshua

Unknown said...

Sometimes I don't read your blog on purpose because I laugh so loud I'm afraid I'll get fired!

Kristi Faith said...

ROFL....Hilarious and yes, the picture does make one wonder how sane this person really could be? LOL

Unknown said...

Ellen must come from a small town similar to where I lived until I was 7 (Houma, Louisiana) where alligators were routinely found hangin' around.

Somehow, though, I think cougars trump gators.

Slamdunk said...

Witty post. I think the job description should include "may have to chase a cougar with 10 or more friends--all carrying large caliber rifles."

Menopausal New Mom said...

That cougar looks almost like its wearing a collar going for a stroll!

We actually had a 19 year old woman attacked and killed by two coyotes about 6 weeks ago, something that we have never heard of before! You never know when you are hiking in the woods!

JenJen said...

Funny to me, or is it just a hmmmmm moment, that a man thinks he can out fox and capture an animal like this. The healthy ego on some....

Emily said...

Obviously their mistake was not hiring someone who can run 41 mph.
Ouch!

The Four Week Vegan said...

I guess he drew the short straw. Scary for sure.

Barbaloot said...

Gosh-I have a serious fear of cougars and they totally live in my neck of the woods...er, mountains. Definitely my college mascot!

Brave guy---glad the cougar was removed. But really-moving into the "wild"? So...what's to keep him from going back to where he was?

Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey said...

Wonder what the poor guy is thing while chasing after him....don't turn around, please, don't turn around....

Unknown said...

Ww---not an assignment I would have liked to have been picked for!

Poindexter said...

Fish & Wildlife Dept jobs are apparently far more stressful than I previously thought!

Confessions of a Mother, Lawyer & Crazy Woman said...

Given chasing a cougar or working with a certain law firm partner from my past who shall remain unnamed? Cougar for the win, hands down. Even WITHOUT the dog.

tiburon said...

Seriously - who did that guy piss off?

The Absence of Alternatives said...

They showed all the dogs a nicely made commercial showing baby animals and stuff being persecuted by the said cougar before they asked for volunteers...

Unknown said...

I knew cougars stalked the streets of Seattle but I always thought it was the other kind...

Heather said...

That is amazing and yet stupid! I feel badly for the guy and where are all his buddies? They sent him out with just a dog! I would have said NO WAY!

Herding Cats said...

I really just feel sorry for the dog in all of this. He could have been cat food.

Kristina P. said...

This is their amazing plan?

Anonymous said...

It's like when you work at a department store, and no one tells you until it's too late that it's in your job description to clean up pee and or other excrement out of the dressing room, should that problem arise.

Thats why I always worked the checkout!

Carma Sez said...

I bet if that dude is single there would be lots of ladies lining up to woo him, bada$$ wildlife officer that he is!

A Daft Scots Lass said...

At least you'd get fit.

Ela said...

That is nutso. So...what exactly does he do now?

Anonymous said...

I WAS WORRIED FOR THE DOG!
CRAZY STUFF

Ju said...

I and thought you were talking in metaphor.. cougars' chasers... Oh that happens in Reno, not in Seattle I guess.

brokenteepee said...

*sigh* a cougar ate Farm cat Fred.
We are still sad.

Jen said...

Now really, do they EVER disclose all the potential duties involved at the interview? I'm fairly certain cleaning the bathroom was never mentioned when I applied for that job at the record store 18 years ago - nor cleaning up 'messes' made by sick toddlers in the record bins...I'm sure there are others - none quite that life-threatening though :)

A.T. Post said...

Let us hope he had a Ruger Blackhawk in the waistband of those non-magic pants.

Bird Shit said...

I must move to Seattle and have my boyfriend get a job at the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife....also must take out new insurance policy...check and check!

Stacey J. Warner said...

fascinating...i'm from seattle and will have to look into this. i wonder what park he was in...

much love

Amanda (Small Acorns) said...

Cougars, alligators... I think the scariest thing you'll find in our NZ neck of the woods is a possum!

Vodka Logic said...

vodka- swilling, tight-shirted cougar

why I resemble that remark...I wish.

sort of

Kat said...

He must be the newest hire. We always give the most shall we say "interesting" assignments to our newest employees. It definitely separates the wheat from the chaff! Kathy

Conquer The Monkey said...

that is a freaking wild photo. the first thing I thought was "the damn cougar is gonna eat the dog!" so I'm with you!!!!!

Chic Mama said...

Glad they caught it!

Anonymous said...

We need to let the cougars repopulate. Grrr.... Science Teacher unhappy!

secret agent woman said...

That cougar looks completely unconcerned about the person and dog following him.

MrsBlogAlot said...

Oh big time scary visual right there!

Matty said...

I sure hope he's armed.

Corrie Howe said...

Very funny. I like the idea of this being part of an interview process. Ingenious!

AnnQ said...

Wow....rough job!

HalfAsstic.com said...

I just wanna know how the capture occurred.

Something Happened Somewhere Turning said...

I would not chase a cougar with a dog. I would not chase it with a hog. I would not chase him as I jog. I would not chase it through the fog.
I would not chase it Sam I am.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Ummmmmmm yeah. No thanks to that job! Ah ha

Claudya Martinez said...

I'm glad I don't have that job.

Life Laugh Latte said...

Is he insane...what kind of testosterone cocktail was he on?! Holly

Pandorah's Box said...

Hahah!! You are hilarious.

"Did you discuss this in the interview process? Why, yes!"

That made me pee a little laughing.