May 3 2011 sighting in Newtown CT

Below is the email chain relating to my May 3, 2011 sighting...

From: DEP Webmaster
To: Mark
Cc: "Hinsch, Elaine"
Sent: Tue, May 3, 2011 12:30:59 PM
Subject: RE: spotted cougar in Newtown

Thank you for your e-mail. I am forwarding your message to the Bureau of Natural Resources.

Naomi Davidson
Webmaster
CT Department of Environmental Protection
E-mail: [email protected]
Visit the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep

From: Mark
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tue, May 3, 2011 8:31:40 AM
Subject: spotted cougar in Newtown

We just spotted what I think was possibly a cougar in our back yard.

We live in Newtown near the Upper Upper Paugussett State Forest.
My wife happened to look out the window and saw this very large feline standing about 20 ft from the house.

I looked out and saw it too. As it turns out, our domestic cat was outside, and it appears they were staring each other down. That is why I think this feline was standing motionless. This animal was at least twice as big as a large male domestic cat. I tried to get a look at the tail, but since the animal was facing the house, I could not get a good look at it's hind end. However, I am sure that I saw the tail touching the ground while the animal was standing tall.

By the time I got my camera, the animal had made its way into the wetlands/woods. Our domestic cat was facing the direction the animal had gone to. Her tail was fully fluffed up and bushy as happens when she feels threatened.

I just read up on the eastern mountain lion/cougar/puma controversy. I understand that most experts say that sightings are actually bobcats not cougars. I can say with some confidence the animal did not have a short 6" long tail. It was much longer.