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Cougar Euthanized Near NW Corvallis for Human Safety

September 3, 2025 in News

Cougar Euthanized Near NW Corvallis for Human Safety

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), in coordination with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), confirmed that a cougar was euthanized yesterday afternoon just outside the city limits of NW Corvallis after it killed livestock and was deemed a threat to human safety.

At approximately 3:37 p.m., BCSO Deputies were dispatched to NW Camellia Drive where they located and euthanized the animal. The juvenile male cougar had killed a goat the previous night and it is believed to have returned to continue feeding on it. The cougar was present in multiple backyards during the middle of the day and showed no fear of people on the property or the BCSO Deputies when they arrived on site.

Officials believe this is one of the cougars that has been seen on cameras within Corvallis city limits, but not the adult cougar that has been reported most frequently.

Under Oregon law (ORS 498.166), cougars that pose a threat to human safety may be lethally removed. ODFW emphasizes that euthanasia is always a last resort, carried out only after careful consideration of circumstances.

Cougars require large home ranges—adult females typically need 20–40 square miles, while adult males may require 50–150 square miles. Juveniles face significant challenges establishing territories of their own and often follow available prey such as deer, turkeys, and small mammals, which have become increasingly abundant in residential areas.

“Cougars are an important part of Oregon’s ecosystem. Unfortunately, when they prey on livestock in a residential or agricultural area and become a threat to human safety, intervention becomes necessary,” said Undersheriff Don Rogers. “The decision to euthanize wildlife is the last resort, but it is our responsibility to protect people and their animals.”

ODFW officials note that cougar attacks on livestock are not uncommon and can occur when animals become habituated to human spaces. These incidents often involve younger cougars that are less experienced in hunting or females with dependent young. Residents in rural and edge-of-city areas are encouraged to take preventative steps to reduce conflict:

  • Confine small livestock and pets in secure enclosures, especially overnight.
  • Bring pets indoors at night and supervise them when outdoors.
  • Use motion-activated lights, fencing, or guard animals to deter predators.

If you live outside city limits in Benton County, only call 911 if a cougar displays dangerous behaviors:

  • Seen repeatedly during daylight hours near homes or other permanent structures.
  • Charging, false charging, growling, teeth popping, snarling or stalking.
  • Attacking pets or domestic animals, attempting to break into structures for food.

Report cougar sightings to ODFW district office in Corvallis at 541-757-4186. For more information about living with cougars, how to prevent livestock losses, and what to do if you encounter a cougar visit: https://myodfw.com/articles/living-cougars.

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