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Criticism Leveled Over Shooting Of Cougar Cubs In Half Moon Bay

HALF MOON BAY (CBS/AP) -- Wildlife advocates criticized a decision by California wardens to shoot a pair of mountain lion cubs in the backyard of a home near downtown Half Moon Bay.

State Department of Fish and Game wardens killed the 9-month-old cougars Saturday night, saying they didn't attempt to tranquilize the 30-pound animals because of concerns they might escape and become a threat to public safety.

But wildlife experts said that they should have been notified to assess the danger before they were shot to death.

Monterey-based Wildlife Rescue founder Rebecca Dmytryk says it was a bad judgment call, adding it was a perfect situation to call in wildlife rescuers.

 

 

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

 

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