Double Oak Police Department
June 2010
Hello. Those of us fortunate enough to live in rural Denton County have the privilege of encountering a variety of wildlife. Deer, raccoons, opossums, skunks, hawks, waterfowl etc. are all present in abundance. Along with prey animals, however, we also have a significant number of predators to include snakes, coyotes, bobcats and possibly other large cats.
On Thursday May 27, 2010 at about 7:30 a.m. a resident reported observing a mountain lion on or near South Carruth Rd., Double Oak, TX. While mountain lion sightings in North Texas are rare there are countless confirmed sightings of bobcats. Texas Parks and Wildlife maintains records on mountain lion sightings and mortality (counties where deceased mountain lions have been found). It should be noted that there has never been a mountain lion found deceased in Denton, Collin, Dallas, or Tarrant Counties. It should also be noted that attacks by mountain lions, on people, has never been documented in North Texas. TPW reports that since 1980 there have been only three documented mountain lion attacks, all in West Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife maintains an extremely thorough and helpful website at www.tpwd.state.tx.us. If you want to report a mountain lion sighting please call Texas Parks and Wildlife at (800) 792-1112 and press 5 for wildlife and 1 for general wildlife information.
Please understand that I'm not minimizing the sighting of a wild cat and would urge caution with children and pets be the animal a bobcat or mountain lion. If you observe a mountain lion or bobcat (or any other animal for that manner) engaged in aggressive behavior please contact your local animal control officer and police department.
We have also seen a significant increase in the snake population this spring. If you have a snake in your residence, typically a garage that was left open, Brian Hall "The Animal Guy" is available at (817) 401-1861 to assist with removal for a fee of twenty-five dollars.
Please take the time to speak with your children about handling unknown dogs, cats and wild animals. It is common for persons to be bit by an unvaccinated dog or cat and then have to suffer through the rabies treatment process. The Texas Department of Health Zoonosis Control Branch reported 12 positive cases of rabies in skunks and bats, in Denton County, for the year 2009. If you, or a child, is bitten by an animal seek medical treatment immediately and provide as much information as available to law enforcement and animal control about the suspect animal so that it can be captured and tested for rabies.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. Respectfully Chief Watson.
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