By Jon Gambrell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

ROSS TWP. - Coyotes may not be the only wild predators roaming southwestern Butler County.

But the discovery of partial remains of a deer that may have been eaten by a cougar is no cause for alarm, according to a Butler County wildlife official.

The remains, found at 2530 Timberland Road, were "ripped to shreds" according to police. Tracks that appeared to be from a large cat led away from the remains.

Aaron Ireland, Butler County's state wildlife officer, said that incidents like this were not uncommon.

"There are a lot of coyote and dog calls here," he said. "In the past week, we've received a few calls."

While the tracks around the remains appeared to be from a cougar, Ireland said it was possible the animal didn't even kill the deer.

"They look for easy prey," Ireland said. "If they found a dead animal, they are going to start eating it."

Sandra Lakes, a worker at Ross Bakery, said that she hadn't heard of the find. But she scoffed at the idea of a cougar.

"There are a ton of coyotes up here," Lakes said. "I've seen several.

"I'm not panicked and this is not a problem."

Ireland said coyotes and other wild animals choose flight over fight when humans come close.

"Once they see you, they are gone," he said.

E-mail jgambrell@fuse.net