For years the MO department of conservation discounted reports of mountain lions in the Kansas City area. Then one morning, one was hit and killed by a pickup truck while chasing a deer across I-435 during the morning commute. It happened in an area known for caves AND and amusement park. That area is also becoming far more of a residential area these days.
We've also been having problems of coyotes taking cats and small dogs. It's only a matter of time before a child is attacked.
Mark