Police shock toy cougar with taser

Warren police responded to a 911 call about a cougar on the prowl. "It's huge; it's like a 150-pound cat," the caller told the operator.

About 10 officers arrived at Bates Park on 14 Mile Road east of Van Dyke and saw what looked like a big cat in an old cement drainpipe. "And I went back behind there and shined a light there - and it's in there," said the caller.

Warren police shot a Taser at the animal - hitting what turned out to be a large toy cougar.



Police Commissioner William Dwyer said officials now believe the incident was a prank, but he said his department could not take any chances since it was near a playground. "We did what we had to do. We want to keep the city safe," said Dwyer.

Dwyer said the prank cost the city more than $1,000 in wasted police hours between the response from 10 officers and the paperwork they had to file.

If the prankster is caught, he or she could have to pay the city back for the wasted police officers and could face 90 days probation.