<p>Ryan Torland, ODFW district biologist, and OSP Trooper Andrew McClay examine the teeth of a cougar shot by police in a John Day ballpark on Friday afternoon.</p>

   JOHN DAY Julie Bullock and her daughter Lindsey, 20, had just finished walking their dog on the path at the Seventh Street Complex last Friday, when they saw what looked like a small cougar.

    They whistled at the animal a young cub, likely born this year, she said which turned to look, then continued across the gravel parking lot toward the ballfield dugout.

    Within minutes, that sighting and others phoned in by neighbors had triggered a  multiagency search for three cougars roaming the neighborhood near the ballpark.

    Authorities shot the first cat at the restrooms by the dugout, and a second was located near the park and shot about four hours later. A third cougar eluded police and tracking dogs brought in for the search, which spanned the area from Bridge Street across the Fairgrounds.

    The Oregon State Police, Grant County Sheriffs Office, John Day Police and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials joined in the operation.

    OSP Master Sgt. Gordon Larson said the first sighting was reported about 12:15 p.m. Shortly after that, a resident who lives next to the complex reported two cougars in his back yard.

    Due to the close proximity to homes and people using the park, an OSP Fish & Wildlife Division trooper shot and killed the cougar at the dugout. ODFW biologist Ryan Torland said the cougar weighed about 25-30 pounds and appeared malnourished.

    The second cougar, shot by a sheriffs deputy about 4:30 p.m., was similar in size to the first cougar.

    Neighbors were urged to be careful in the area, as the search went on.

    Bullock recalled the scene as surreal.

    Within minutes of the first call to dispatchers, she said, a parade of flashing lights, composed of rigs from different agencies, converged on the park. She said two officers approached the bathroom building, both with shotguns.

    One got on his belly while the other started to walk around the building, she said. They fired four shots behind the bathroom and took it down.

    Another resident, watching from a hillside above the complex, saw two other cougars head toward the John Day River. Observers said they looked like a mother and cub.

    Meanwhile, Bullock walked over as a trooper was carrying the dead cat back to a truck.  She patted it on the head and said, Sorry, kitty.

    She wasnt critical of the decision to kill the cat, acknowledging the danger posed by cougars in the city. She said she and her daughter will be more alert while walking in the ballpark area.

    Trooper Marv Ritter said he takes no pleasure in the killing.

    But when its at a dugout at a ballpark where kids play he said.

    Cougars seen repeatedly in daylight or around residences or other structures are considered human safety risks, although wildlife officials say the risk of a cougar attacking a human is low, and there hasnt been a confirmed cougar attack on a person in Oregon.

    But Ritter noted theres also a risk to pets, adding that if these cats hadnt killed dogs or cats already, they could have.

    Ritter said hed heard suggestions that officers should have tranquilized the cats instead of taking lethal action. Thats easier said than done, he noted.

    Officials urge area residents to contact 9-1-1 if they spot cougars in the John Day area.             ODFW offers the following safety tips for anyone encountering a cougar:

* Cougars often will retreat if given the opportunity. Leave the animal a way to escape.

* Stay calm and stand your ground.

* Maintain direct eye contact.

* Pick up children, but do so without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.

* Back away slowly.

* Do not run. Running triggers a chase response in cougars, which could lead to an attack.

* Raise your voice and speak firmly.

* If the cougar seems aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands.

* If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, tools or any items available.