State wildlife officials are investigating reports of a mountain lion spotted roaming neighborhoods in Allen and nearby Lucas.

Witnesses said a big cat, about 80 to 90 pounds with a tail as long as its body, bounded into a 300-home subdivision in Allen on Monday from neighboring Lucas.

Thomas Nichol, an arborist, said he and a friend were trimming trees outside a Lucas home when he was startled to see a large cat bolting out of the trees. A German shepherd gave chase but couldn't catch it, Mr. Nichol said.

"The dog was moving fast, but the cat was running faster and pulled away from it," he said.

Mr. Nichol said the mountain lion leaped into another tree as he and his partner approached.

"We spotted the cat up about 15 to 20 feet," he said. "He saw us looking at him and sprinted down the trunk, pushing bark off his feet heading down. He ran between the fence into the neighborhood."

Capt. Garry Collins, a game warden with Texas Parks and Wildlife, said officials are investigating the reports.

Jana Zettl, the homeowner who hired Mr. Nichol, said the incident has her family frightened to venture outside.

"We're absolutely terrified," she said. "With my 10-year-old daughter, she wouldn't have a chance. Our two little dogs can't go outside now. This was 2 o'clock in the afternoon, about 150 feet from my back door."

Ms. Zettl said other neighbors have had close encounters with the cat.

"Two houses down, our neighbors saw a huge paw reach in through their cat door and swipe around, trying to get at their pets," she said.

Mr. Collins said residents can take steps to reduce the chances of a close encounter, such as removing dog or cat food from back yards.

He said anyone who encounters a mountain lion should resist the urge to run and stand his or her ground.

"Make yourself appear as big as possible, look the animal in the eye, and shout at it," Mr. Collins said. Most likely, that will prompt the reclusive creatures to run off.

At least one resident wasn't comforted by the advice.

"I'm staying inside; I don't want to get eaten," said Ms. Zettl's daughter, Heidi. "I don't want to turn into a dinner menu."