California families say mountain lion is snatching their pets
SUN VALLEY, Calif. — A Sun Valley family says the same mountain lion that killed their pet dog earlier in the month returned early Tuesday morning to snatch their neighbor’s dog.
The sightings were reported in a residential neighborhood.
The Tomasian family said their pet boxer has been missing since Jan. 4, which is when their security camera captured a mountain lion roaming through the backyard shortly after 3 a.m.
Their neighbors, the Barsegyan family, say at 2 a.m. Tuesday they spotted a mountain lion — presumably the same one — run off with their chihuahua mix “Duke” after hearing the dog wailing outside.
“The dog was obviously being dragged and hurt. It was being attacked,” Abe Barsegyan said. “He was being dragged away in the backyard while the mountain lion had it in his mouth and jumped over the gate, and we’re talking about 15-foot walls.”
“After hearing what happened to our neighbor, and just 10 days after having it happen here right next door, it’s pretty scary,” Barsegyan said.
Many residents say mountain lions have terrorized their hillside community in the last year.
“Four or five incidents already around the community, it’s public safety first, and Fish and Wildlife really need to take action,” Saro Tomasian said.
The California Department of Fish and Game advises residents to take the following precautions:
- Do not feed deer; it is illegal in California and it will attract mountain lions,
- Trim brush to reduce hiding places for mountain lions,
- Don’t allow pets outside when mountain lions are most active, at dawn, at dusk and at night,
- Bring pet food inside to avoid attracting raccoons, opossums and other potential mountain lion prey,
- Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended,
- Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house,
- Do not hike, bike, or jog alone.
- Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active,
- Do not approach a mountain lion,
- If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children,
- If attacked, fight back,
- If a mountain lion attacks a person, immediately call 911.