The neighborhood of Sylmar is on alert after a mountain lion attacked and killed a pet pitbull whereas out on a stroll along with her house owners, a neighborhood discover confirmed.
Within the early morning hours of Sunday, August 11, the house owners and the rescued pit bull — named Gigi — have been on a stroll of their neighborhood when the mountain lion attacked. The incident occurred within the space of Foothill Blvd. and Glenoaks Blvd. within the Oakridge Cell Dwelling Park, the discover acknowledged.
It’s a stark reminder that mountain lions are plentiful in California, and even in city areas, it’s essential to be vigilant.
Rey Constante captured photographs of the scene from his automobile whereas driving by. Bear in mind the pictures could also be disturbing.
Mark Rulon, the founding father of Southern California Pit Bull Rescue, fostered Gigi earlier than she was later positioned along with her house owners.
In a submit that has since been edited, Rulon stated that Gigi didn’t seem to have any apparent indicators of trauma however that it appeared the mountain lion might have killed her immediately by snapping her neck. He additionally shared a picture of Gigi.
Rulon stated Gigi’s adoptive proprietor claimed that he had been out on a stroll with Gigi when the mountain lion attacked and that he tried to kick the large cat however ended up operating for assist. He additionally made some essential feedback in regards to the proprietor’s actions throughout and after the occasion.
“My household and I want to prolong our excessive appreciation of the outpouring of affection we’ve obtained over the unlucky killing of Gigi by a mountain lion. Gigi was such a tremendous little lady that simply beloved to lick anybody that was inside attain of her tongue. Her loss hits extraordinarily laborious as she wasn’t in poor health,” Rulon wrote on Fb.
Security Measure When Recreating in Mountain Lion Nation
The California Division of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) didn’t launch any assertion within the wake of the incident. Previous assaults in California — together with a mountain lion coming into a yard and attacking a household canine — don’t by rule instigate the search, seize, or euthanization of the predator.
Large cat looking is a hot-button difficulty and can even come earlier than voters in Colorado this fall.
CDFW does supply suggestions on methods to remain secure and keep away from damaging mountain lion interactions. A few of the suggestions embrace:
- Keep away from mountain climbing, biking, or jogging alone — or at daybreak, nightfall, or at night time.
- Deer-proof your property to keep away from attracting a lion’s important meals supply.
- Take away dense vegetation from across the house to scale back hiding areas.
- Set up out of doors lighting to make it troublesome for mountain lions to method unseen.
- Safe livestock and out of doors massive pets in sturdy, coated shelters at night time.
This isn’t the primary canine killed in California lately, with incidents occurring in each 2023 and 2022.
