Residents of a California neighborhood are on high alert after a Ring camera captured footage of a mountain lion attacking a family’s dog in La Verne, Los Angeles County. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. last Saturday when the 93-pound giant schnauzer named Holly went outside for her nighttime bathroom break.
The partial video shows the mountain lion entering the family’s property, and upon attacking Holly, the dog’s owner’s shouts allowed the schnauzer to escape from the wild feline. After about 20 minutes, the mountain lion returned, but Holly was safely inside. Although the dog required stitches and wears a cone, she is recovering at home.
Shaken by the incident, Holly’s family shared the video to raise awareness among parents and pet owners about the potential threat. Neighbors emphasized the need for caution and vigilance, expressing concerns for the safety of their pets.
“It’s frightening because I have this tiny little dog here. She’s a little teacup Yorkie, and obviously, we don’t let her out, especially at night,” said concerned neighbor Monique Olmedo.
In another incident approximately 40 miles away in Lake Elsinore, a mountain lion was spotted on Thursday night. Security cameras captured footage of the big cat prowling around 9 p.m. Residents, surprised by the close encounter, noted the unusual early hour for a mountain lion to be in the neighborhood.
Environmentalists and conservationists emphasize that the state’s estimated 4,500 mountain lions may roam neighborhoods in search of food, especially if they have successfully found sustenance in the area before or if the mountains lack sufficient resources. The California Mountain Lion Project, with tracking collars on several lions, aims to prevent such incidents and preserve the species while recognizing their crucial role as top predators in the state’s ecosystem.
