By Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Andy Lawson says he looked into the golden eyes of a lion that made noise next to the trailer where he stays at his uncle's farm. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

DEERFIELD TWP. - Deputies in helicopters and Warren County dog wardens on foot and in pickup trucks searched Wednesday for a full-grown lion after a farmhand reported three sightings of the animal since Sunday on his uncle's Tylersville Road farm.

A zoo official who was consulted by police on how to trap the animal said residents in subdivisions near the farm at 6666 Tylersville Road shouldn't panic. Police are cautioning residents to keep their distance.

"The cat is not going to come out looking for human beings as a prey item," said Cathryn Hilker, who has raised lions and founded the Cincinnati Zoo's Cat Ambassador program.

"The animal is going to stick to the heavy brush. He's not going to come up and peer in your window. He just probably wishes people would leave him alone."

Andy Lawson said he first encountered the lion Sunday night, when it made a grunting racket outside his trailer. The lion returned, sniffing around his trailer, the following night.

He and another farmworker, Lynn Wilson, said they have both seen large paw prints inside the barn, where Lawson's uncle, Charlie Lawson, raises 17 race horses.

Whatever has been visiting his farm hasn't harmed the horses. But Charlie Lawson, who has lived on the 67 acres for 30 years as subdivisions and businesses sprang up around him, said he's not taking any chances. He's keeping his barn doors closed.

"I don't trust it," he said.

Andy Lawson said he hasn't been the same since he got a full look at the animal, and stared into its golden eyes, Tuesday night when he saw the lion sitting by his uncle's house.

"He's got a mane, the whole nine yards. He's a full-grown lion," said Andy Lawson, who watched the animal from the camper where he sleeps at the farm. "I don't drink and I don't smoke pot, although after this I wanted to. I can't get those eyes out of my head. I'm edgy."

Andy Lawson called police Wednesday morning.

Hilker said she didn't see any discernible lion tracks when she visited the farm Wednesday, but Andy Lawson said they were trampled by the horses and police. Hilker said she had nothing to go on but Lawson's eyewitness account. She didn't see proof that the animal was at the farm, but would not discount his story.

Hilker said someone might have raised the lion as an exotic pet and it either escaped or was turned loose.

"You can buy lions for $100 at a flea market. You can take them home and you can raise them. They turn into a 400-pound cat that no one knows what to do with," she said.

Hilker suggested that authorities set out a large cage with meat inside to trap the animal, or track the lion with dogs. Helicopter flyovers observed only deer and other common animals, Warren County sheriff's officials said.

Local dog and game wardens were talking about putting a motion-detection camera near the barn and setting a trap. Lawson said he planned to place a sound-activated camera atop their camper so he could capture the lion's image on tape if it returned.

"This is a public safety issue and we're trying to figure it out, too," Deputy Warren County Dog Warden Nick Arbino said. "We don't usually deal with exotic animals. We normally catch dogs."

In the meantime, sheriff's officials are urging anyone who sees the animal, or has information about a missing lion, to call the county communications center at 695-1289.

Hilker said she doubts that an owner will come forward.

"If there is a cat out there and the owner knows he's gone, the last thing the owner is going to do is come forward," she said. "It's a lawsuit waiting to happen."

E-mail smclaughin@enquirer.com