JACKON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The Jackson Township Police Department in Stark County confirmed that a social media post warning about a bobcat or mountain lion at large Wednesday was a hoax, according to the Jackson Township Police Department.
Police said on Wednesday at 10:08 p.m., their department received a report about a bobcat/mountain lion in the area of Hills and Dales Road NW in Jackson Township.
All the information about the complaint was social media-based and the department had not received any phone calls confirming sightings of a large animal, the release stated.
“After investigating our agency has not been able to verify any information to support this claim,” said police chief Mark Brink.
On Thursday, the Jackson Township Police Department said officers had contacted the person identified as the owner of the animal on the social media post and he admitted he has never kept large cats nor did he have one that was missing.
The man told police that does not live in the Stark County area and that someone had hacked into his Facebook account and posted the hoax.
While the case is closed, police said those who feel they have information the department should be aware of can call 330-832-1553.
