It was a tiger and they killed it *

* Updated

The big cat that has been loping through the suburbs of Ventura County was finally spotted this morning by Fish and Game trackers. The call was made to shoot the tiger with bullets rather than tranquilizers, due to its proximity to homes in Moorpark. The Ventura County Star story (reg. req'd) has already drawn 170 comments on its website, many of them critical of killing rather than capturing the tiger.

Ken Tucker, 45, was looking for rain when he peeked out a window overlooking his back yard and the park after waking up this morning.

Instead, he saw a rusty-colored tiger about 500 to 600 pounds next to the 6-foot wrought iron fence, near the area where he stands when barbecuing.

"He looked like he was hungry," he said.

The comments have hit 226. By the way, AP has taken the cautious, objective journalist approach: "The massive orange cat with black stripes appears to have been a tiger, but officials are not immediately confirming that."