A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Officialdom’s oft-used explanation for cougar sightings as “escaped pets” and asked readers whether they knew of or had ever heard of anyone in New Hampshire actually keeping one as a household pet.

To my no great surprise — “escaped pets” being right up there on my Ridiculous Theory List with “circus train wrecks” — (a) I got a ton of mail on the subject, and (b) not one writer could offer anything specific, at least for this part of the country. One observed that if anyone had a mountain lion for a pet, neighbors, friends and officials would surely know about it. Another noted, dryly, that if a cougar became an “escaped pet,” there’d be widespread panic and media reports (see “missing cobra”).

I did get some pretty good and often funny stories, which bear sharing in capsulated versions:

“Have sighted a cougar twice here in Greenfield, most recently about a year ago. Have recovered a piece of ‘cat scat’ . . . a few years ago from an obvious marking post. It still resides in my freezer. Can’t find anyone who’s interested in checking it out. I understand that Fish and Game doesn’t have the resources or the personnel to track and manage a new exotic species. Still and all, the denial is starting to get a little silly. If you know anyone who is interested in checking out my ‘trophy,’ I would appreciate hearing about it.”

And this:

“I do not have any ‘hard evidence,’ but if you’re keeping a list of where people claim they have had a sighting, you can put me down (Gilmanton Iron Works, Night Hawk Hollow Brook).”

And, “Just spotted your article today; no, I don’t have a pet cougar, but just wanted to advise that I did see one last year at this time in Lyndeborough. I know my critters, and it took me literally five seconds to know it was a mountain lion. I did call Fish and Game, and they proceeded with their mandatory dismissal.”

Yet more: “If in fact an escapee was present, one would think it would frequent the human domain?”

And finally:

“The gentleman who owns (a store) in Concord told me that he came upon a cougar that had been hit by a car on the interstate on his way south from his weekend home up north. It was just above the Lakes Region, if I recall. He saw the animal and commented that it was a cougar. He told me the troopers put the cougar in their trunk and told him to move on.”

Now, I wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard this story in various forms, the common theme being that some official always removes the carcass before anyone can record it as “proof.” I’ll certainly check it out, but I’m not holding my breath.

John Harrigan’s address is Box 39, Colebrook 03576. E-mail him at hooligan@ncia.net.