Cougar Or Bobcat Seen Near Renton Elementary Schools: Police

RENTON, WA - Renton police responded to an elementary school Tuesday morning after multiple reports of either a cougar or bobcat wandering around.

Police did not find any sign of the big cat, but the sighting prompted police to remind local residents that predators live in Renton (they don't call it Cougar Mountain for nothing), and the approaching spring season will draw them out.

Tuesday's sighting was near the Meadow Crest Early Learning Center along the 1800 block of Index Avenue Northeast. Another sighting was reported near the Hyde Park Condos along the 2300 block of Jefferson Avenue Northeast. Both of those locations are along Honey Dew Creek, which flows southeast off of May Creek.

"Please do your part to prevent these animals from coming into your neighborhood by: not leaving cat/dog food outside, by properly securing your trash cans, and keep a close watch out for your pets and small children.

"If you observe a wild animal entering a wooded area, you don’t need to report that to 911. If you observe a coyote loitering in a school play-field or park, a bobcat hiding under a vehicle in your neighborhood, or a black bear rummaging through your neighbor’s trash cans, calling 911 would absolutely be appropriate," police wrote in a Facebook post.

This wouldn't be the first time a big animal has come into contact with a local school. In spring 2017, a black bear hung out in a tree near Highlands Elementary for while napping.