Prowling lion causes alert in Paulding area

4/27/2001

OAKWOOD, Ohio - People living near this Paulding County village were being warned to keep their children and pets inside after a resident reported seeing a lion about a mile north of here Wednesday night.

According to the Paulding County sheriff's office, the animal was seen in an open field near State Rt. 66 and Brown Township Road 110 about 7:50 p.m. It then entered a wooded area.

Sheriff's deputies checked the area but found nothing. They are continuing to watch the area and urging residents to report any suspicious activity. Although the animal was likely domesticated, it is not a pet and is considered dangerous, deputies said.