Eagle Cops
Mountain lion sightings
The Eagle Police Department have issued a warning that there have been confirmed sightings of a mountain lion on the hill above the Sunset View Cemetery and near the path behind the Eagle Pool and Ice Rink.
“This notification is not to alarm you, only to remind you to be aware of your surroundings and the wildlife we share this valley with,” noted the Aug. 3 email notice. “These areas have had signs posted that read ‘Mountain Lion Activity in this Area.’”
The police notice also offered advice to anyone who should encounter a mountain lion:
Stay calm if you come upon a lion.
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Talk calmly yet firmly to it.
Move slowly.
Stop or back away slowly.
Do not run.
Raise your arms to appear larger.
If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches, or whatever you can get your hands on.
Do not crouch down or turn your back.
Fight back if a lion attacks you. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back.
If you come in contact with a lion, contact the 24-hour service for the Division of Parks and Wildlife at 970-947-2920.
Motel fire
Eagle Police were dispatched to the Eagle Grand Motel on U.S. Highway 6 July 25 on a report of a structure fire.
When officers arrived, they saw smoke billowing from behind the manager’s unit on the west side of the building. As they got closer, they spotted an orange glow of fire reflecting off the smoke. One of the officers grabbed a fire extinguisher from his patrol car and attempted to douse the fire. As he approached the smoky area, he found flames approximately 7-feet tall coming from a cut wood pile. The officer was able to keep the fire from spreading until the Greater Eagle Fire Department arrived and fully extinguished the fire. The Eagle Fire Marshal determined the blaze was not intentionally set, saying it appeared the fire was caused by a carelessly dropped cigarette.
No criminal charges are pending.
Second fire
On July 30, an Eagle Police officer was driving along U.S. Highway 6 when he spotted a large plume of smoke coming from the area south of the Eby Creek Road roundabout.
As he approached the area, the officer noticed flames in the location of an electric power pole. He requested the fire department respond to the scene.
The fire was extinguished and contained to an area of approximately 1/10th of an acre. Fire personnel determined the cause was a fuse that had malfunctioned and caused the plastic around it to ignite and drop to the ground. The fire also resulted in disruption to electric service for several neighborhoods around town, and fire officials determined the cause was not criminal.
Dog complaint
Eagle Police were notified July 30 about a report of a dangerous dog roaming an Eagle Ranch neighborhood.
An Eagle County Animal Control officer met with the police to share information about the dog, an Akita. He noted that earlier in July, the Akita had attacked and killed a Papillion when the smaller dog entered its yard. On July 29, the animal control officer said the Akita had escaped its yard and “mouthed a passerby in a playful manner.”
However, in a phone interview with the pedestrian who had encountered the dog, the animal control officer’s description was disputed. The woman said the dog was not acting playful when it approached her and bit her arm. She sent a photo showing a small bruise that resulted, noting that the dog bite did not break skin.
After a conversation with the Eagle Police Chief, the county director of animal services agreed to look further into the incident.