LAPUSH — Residents in the Quileute Heights neighborhood have been keeping a close eye on children and pets after three cougar sightings near houses were reported in the last two weeks.

Two sightings were reported on Thursday and Friday, and one report came on Sept. 15, Police Chief Bill Lyon said Friday, adding that wildlife officials are discussing options of mountain lion traps.

“It’s around houses, and that usually isn’t a good sign,” he said.

“When an animal becomes unafraid of dogs, there is usually a reason for it.”

On Thursday, resident Frank Ward spotted a cougar laying in the yard next door.

At first his neighbor thought it was a dog.

“No, that’s a cougar, dude,” Ward said, who is wary of his 11-year-old son and the neighborhood children sharing living space with a big cat and also curious about the recent spat of sightings.

“Why now, you know?” he asked.

“It’s trying to find something around here.

“I can’t picture it. I wish he would tell me what he wants, I’d give it to him so he’d go away.”