Several reported sightings of a mountain lion in Southold have prompted an investigation by town police and the state Department of Environmental Conservation. However, the agencies say they have found no evidence of the big cat.

Neighbors say the mountain lion has been rummaging through garbage, strolling around the area and laying by the road. Some kids say they?ve seen big paw prints around. Residents have reported the sightings to police, who say they haven?t yet seen any signs of the animal. No one has yet to take a photograph of it.

?The clearest description I got was a 5-foot cat with a 3-foot tail,? Southold Town Police Chief Carlisle Cochran Jr. says. ?The only thing I can think of is it was someone's pet, cute when it was little, grew up to eat 100 pounds of meat a day and is now loose.?

If it comes around again, residents say they know how to handle themselves. ?You're supposed to put your hands up, scream in a low voice, not run,? says Christian Bolettier. ?And if it comes near you, you're supposed to play dead because they like to play games.?

Officials say the most recent sighting was this past weekend. Anyone who sees the cat is asked to call the DEC hotline at 1-800-TIPPDEC.