2008 Woodie Awards
Mountain lion spotted, shot
By: Kristen Marschall
Issue date: 11/20/06 Section: News
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At about 7:50 a.m., the San Luis Obispo Police Department (SLOPD) received a call about a mountain lion sighting near City Hall and received word of another sighting not long after near Peach and Osos streets. Police said they were able to locate the animal at the 1,000 block of Walnut Street, coincidentally near the police station, when it began running through the backyards of houses along Walnut Street.
"SLO County Animal Control and State Fish and Game officials were contacted and asked to respond to assist the officers who were attempting to contain the animal," a SLOPD press release said.
Police said the decision to kill the animal was made after considering the amount of vehicle and foot traffic nearby, as well as the proximity of the animal to the downtown area and schools, such as Old Mission Catholic School and Mission College Preparatory High School.
A SLOPD officer safely shot the animal from the roof of 1031 Walnut St. and Fish and Game took the mountain lion from there, estimating it to be 2 years old and 120 pounds, the press release said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
barbara
posted 11/20/06 @ 8:37 AM PST
This story made me feel so sad. I wondered why the SLOPD officer didn't shoot the cat "safely" with a tranquilizer to enable its removal and ultimate survival. (Continued…)
Jen
posted 11/20/06 @ 9:03 AM PST
They couldn't just sedate the mountain lion and return it to its natural habitat? Pardon the pun, but that seemes like overkill. Cruel, too, especially since no one had been attacked. (Continued…)
Kevin
posted 11/20/06 @ 12:51 PM PST
It takes a while for a dart to have an effect if any on real animals, during which the lion would probably become quite perturbed and dangerous. Besides, police officers probably don't have those tools available. (Continued…)
JC
posted 7/06/07 @ 10:14 AM PST
Are you kidding me Barbara and Jen? Have you seen what a mountain lion can do to a human being? Do a google seach and you will see.
Here the deal: I am not a hunter, never will be a hunter, and have never killed an animal except for a fish while fishing with my son; nevertheless, if a mountain lion or any other threatening animal came wandering across my path, the path of my kids, or of other people, the poor animal is dead with no regrets. (Continued…)
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