'Canine Or Cougar?': Mystery Creature That Crashed Reporter's Live Shot Identified
(CBS/KUTV) -- Is it a dog? Is it a mountain lion? A "creature" walked right through reporter Morgan Saxton's live shot on KUTV's 2News This Morning, sparking debated about what the animal actually was.
Saxton was talking about overnight flooding in Utah County when the animal walked right through her live shot.
Possible MOUNTAIN LION made it's TV debut during my morning live shot!!! What're your thoughts?! (I didn't have time to ask him before trying to escape)
Posted by Morgan Saxton on Wednesday, October 3, 2018
After posting the video on social media, KUTV staff and viewers commented on what they thought the animal is. Some thought it was a dog, others believed it was a mountain lion.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources responded to KUTV's Holly Menino, stating that biologists were heading to the area to identify the animal.
"Our biologists are trying to determine if the animal was a cougar. From the video, it's difficult to tell. We will visit the scene this morning and look for tracks or any other signs to help positively identify the animal," Utah DWR wrote on Twitter.
Just wrapped up an interview with @UtahDNR - Scott tells me I had every right to think it was a cougar coming toward me. He's a biology expert and didn't know for sure (based on the video) what animal I could be. He says the proof is in a paw print ???? #2NewsAM pic.twitter.com/MFn4PAXDCf
— Morgan Saxton (@MorganSaxtonTV) October 3, 2018
After investigating, Utah DWR determined that it was a dog that walked through the live shot, not a mountain lion.
"This is the paw print found in the mud after my live shot. @UtahDNR says the foothills are know for cougar sightings AND the way it walked it could have easily been mistaken for one. BUT they are 99% sure it was a DOG that stole the show!" Saxton tweeted.
CANINE OR COUGAR? This is the paw print found in the mud after my live shot. @UtahDNR says the foothills are know for cougar sightings AND the way it walked it could have easily been mistaken for one. BUT they are 99% sure it was a DOG that stole the show! pic.twitter.com/KbTxFMVkqT
— Morgan Saxton (@MorganSaxtonTV) October 3, 2018
A few hours after the close encounter, Saxton managed to track down the previously unidentified news crasher.
"The owner of this camera-friendly fella just sent us a picture of their pup who made it's way into my live shot this morning. Come back anytime!" she tweeted.
MYSTERY SOLVED: The owner of this camera-friendly fella just sent us a picture of their pup who made it's way into my live shot this morning. Come back anytime! #talkofthetown pic.twitter.com/CyECb9qKKQ
— Morgan Saxton (@MorganSaxtonTV) October 3, 2018