Animal control officers are investigating a potentially dangerous cougar reported by residents in northern Macomb County.

Officials said there were no paw prints found or other proof it was a cougar, but residents are being asked to be on alert in case they see the creature, The Macomb Daily reported. The sightings were in the area of 27 Mile and Hayes roads, near the Healy Drain, in Ray Township.

Animal control officials said they do not want to create a panic situation, but will tell people to keep an eye on their children and pets.

Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel said deputies have been alerted of the sightings and were told to watch near the drain and other watering spots where the cat may roam.

Hackel said his department doesn't believe there is a wild animal on the loose.

"Maybe it was someone's pet that became unmanageable and was let go,'" Hackel told the paper.

Macomb County communities have been the location of numerous reports of exotic animals on the loose in the past, including cougars, ligers, ostriches and alligators, the paper reported.

There is no ordinance regulating the possession of exotic animals in Ray Township, according to township Supervisor Charles Bohm. He said this would be looked at when the township updates its ordinances.