Cougar, bobcat or domestic cat? DNR weighs in on Inver Grove Heights sighting
Was that a cougar on your front lawn or just your neighbor’s cat? That’s the question some residents in Inver Grove Heights are asking themselves after a large feline was spotted across town in recent weeks.
Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins shared news of the reported cougar sighting on his social media page, writing the latest sighting came on October 17 at a home near 70th and Cahill in Inver Grove Heights.
He adds that over the last month, another trail cam near Cahill and Concord caught the animals on camera, with residents also reporting a sighting near Inver Hills Community College and at South Valley Park.
Joe Atkins, County Commissioner Facebook
There was also evidence of the feline discovered along Barnes Avenue, according to Atkins.
Bring Me The News reached out to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and a spokesperson tells us their expert believes the animal is either a bobcat or a domestic cat.
Atkins shared a video of the feline asking viewers to watch it and form their own opinion on its species.
If you managed to snag a picture or video of what is either a bobcat or a bloomin’ gigantic domestic cat, feel free to send it along to news@bringmethenews.com.
This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Oct 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the MN Lifestyle section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
