After responding to reports that two cougars were spotted on the Southern Oregon University campus, Ashland police fired a shot at one of the animals, but missed and the cougar escaped, apparently unharmed.

The Ashland Daily Tidings reports that police Chief Tighe O'Meara said officers and SOU campus security responded at about 10 p.m. Sunday to reports of the cougars on the campus. The officers attempted to chase the cougars away by making noise, but were unsuccessful in scaring away the larger of the two cats.

O'Meara then "made the decision that the cat had to be put down as it presented an ongoing danger to the community."

One shot was fired at the cougar, but missed, and the cougar then left the area.

According to the release, the officers involved first ensured that there was a proper back stop immediately behind the target that could safely absorb the bullet.

-- The Associated Press