This photo, submitted to The Record Delta by a third party, depicts what is allegedly a large paw print found near a horse killed and mutilated in Lewis County. Other photos of the dead animal were deemed too graphic for publication.

One Lewis County family is claiming their horse was attacked and killed by mountain lions, an animal long-believed to no longer roam the Mountain State wilderness.

Kathy James said she and her family found her grandson’s 800-pound horse slain in the middle of the day last week. The animal was discovered covered in deep claw marks and gaping puncture wounds with massive blood loss, according to James.

The Record Delta was provided copies of photographs of the deceased horse which appear to show three deep slash wounds to the head and massive trauma to the neck.

James said three of the family’s dogs have come up missing in the past six months as well. Also, a local farmer in the area had reported sheep and goats missing.

DNR wildlife manager Delbert Vandevander said a DNR officer did not examine the horse, so he could not confirm whether or not it was killed by mountain lions. Vandevander said the owner of the horse took pictures and then buried the animal; therefore, it was impossible for an officer to make such a determination.

However, James said her son-in-law met with a DNR officer on Saturday morning.

“They [DNR] are denying the attack even happened,” James said. “They are saying the horse died and the injuries were a result of other animals feasting on the body, but you can clearly see the marks.”

James said a photograph of a paw print found near the body of the horse resembles that of a large cat. According to the Eastern Puma Research Network website, there are five tips to follow when attempting to identify the tracks of an adult mountain lion: tracks are non-symmetrical, the top of the rear heel pad is squared off, all four heel pads show three distinct lobes, four toes will lack toe-nails in an oval shape track and the print will rarely exceed 4.5 inches wide.

The last confirmed mountain lion sighting in West Virginia was in the 1960s or 1970s in Pocahontas County, according to DNR District Biologist Ray Knotts. Knotts said two mountain lions were sighted. One was killed and one was captured. It was determined that the two large cats were “quite friendly” and had been raised in captivity.

On the other hand, Knotts said reports of sightings in and around the state pour in on a daily basis, but some cases turn out to be no more than a house cat.

Knotts recalled an incident in the Lewis County area where two black panthers were reportedly seen on the strip mining area behind Market Place Plaza in Weston.

After investigation, it was determined that the black panthers were in fact house cats. Knotts said it may seem impossible to mistake house cats for larger felines such as mountain lions, bobcats or panthers, but weather conditions, distance from the animal and the surrounding environment may very well fool the eye.

“There is no physical evidence that there are free roaming mountain lions in the state,” Knotts said.

The DNR has not been able to acquire mountain lion hair samples or livestock or deer killed by the predator to be able to say whether or not the species has returned to the mountains of West Virginia. However, according to Knotts, if mountain lions were to in fact inhabit the state, they would most likely be found in more remote areas such as Pendleton, Pocahontas or Randolph counties.

Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, are primarily found in western states, such as Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and Arizona. However, a large population of the animal can be found in Canada and Florida. They are found over a wider range than any other mammal in the western hemisphere, with the exception of man.

According to www.desertusa.com, mountain lions are shorthaired with relatively small heads, shortened faces, small and rounded ears, elongated bodies and long necks and tails. Male mountain lions grow to be somewhere between 8 and 8 feet long and weigh between 125-160 pounds, whereas females tend to get between 6 and 7 feet long and weigh 80-100 pounds.

Confusion between the mountain lion and bobcat are common, but experts say the tail is a give away. Bobcat tails are 6-8 inches and the tail of a mountain lion can reach anywhere from 26-30 inches in length. Also, Bobcats are spotted or striped while mountain lions are mainly one color, usually tawny gold. Bobcats on average only reach about 15-30 pounds.

The mountain lion hunts by stalking and ambushing prey. It uses its large front paws and heavy claws to clutch and slash. Knotts said the mountain lion is an apex predator, which means it is on the top of the food chain, but the cat tends to prefer smaller prey such as deer, rabbits, raccoons and foxes. According to Knotts, it would not typically attack such a large animal as an 800-pound horse.

While the state DNR may deny the presence of mountain lions in West Virginia, James said there is something out there and she intends to find out what it is. In the meantime, the Eastern Puma Research Network has placed trail cameras in Pendleton, Pocahontas and Randolph counties hoping to capture physical proof that the mountain lion does in fact live amongst us here in West Virginia. For more information on the Eastern Puma Research Network, or to report a mountain lion sighting, visit www.easternpumaresearch.com or call the 24-hour hotline at (304) 749-7778.