Report: Cougar carries off dog near Sublimity

An animal believed to be a young cougar took an 8-year-old Yorkshire Terrier from its owner's front porch near Sublimity early Wednesday morning, officials said.

Around 4:30 a.m., Mark Jensen watched a large cat carrying away his dog, Bub. The Yorkie was cornered by the animal on the porch of the home in the 8000 block of Anderson Road SE before being carried away, Jensen told Marion County Sheriff's deputies.

The cat is described as having brown and white markings and weighing between 35 and 50 pounds.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office is working with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon State Police to determine the appropriate action.

The ODFW suggests to anyone encountering a cougar: Give the animal a way to escape, maintain eye contact, pick up children, back away slowly, do not run, raise your voice, make yourself look bigger and clap your hands.

In the very unusual event that a cougar attacks, fight back with rocks, sticks, tools or any other item available.