A Pullman police officer spotted a cougar while on patrol in the Military Hill neighborhood shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday.

The animal ran in front of the officer’s car while on patrol. The officer then contacted Fish and Game officials to report the sighting, Pullman Police Cmdr. Chris Tennant said. Police did not receive any additional sightings.

People should still be careful in the coming days even though no damage or incidents involving the wild animal were reported, Tennant said.

“I would recommend if you have small pets that you keep them indoors for the next couple days just to be on the safe side,” he said. “Don’t leave pet food outside overnight, not necessarily for the cougars, but we constantly have issues with raccoons and skunks and coyotes and other wildlife.”

Tennant recommended that if a resident sees a cougar, they call 911 and avoid approaching the animal. He also said he believes the last reported sighting of a cougar in the city was in 2007.