Police: 'No Documented Evidence of a Cougar' Near Mount Vernon School

The Fairfax County Police Department’s Animal Services Division has continued to monitor Riverside Elementary School and the immediate area as a precautionary measure based on last week’s reports of a possible cougar sighting, according to a news release from police. The release goes on to note:

To date, there has been no documented evidence of a cougar based on field investigation. Trail cameras were installed in proximity to the school to monitor wildlife presence.

Additionally, Animal Control Officers have patrolled the property on foot looking for evidence of animal activity consistent with a cougar.

Currently, the investigation has only documented the presence of white-tailed deer, fox, and domestic dogs.

If residents encounter wildlife or animal-related safety concerns, please call the police non-emergency line at (703) 691-2131 to be connected with Animal Control. If this is a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

If you have potentially related information or photographic evidence to the animal sighting last week, send to fcpdwildliferesources@fairfaxcounty.gov with contact information.