Simi Valley family wakes to find mountain lion in their backyard
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. - A mountain lion was captured in a Simi Valley neighborhood Thursday following multiple reported sightings and a deadly dog attack in the area.
Earlier in the morning, residents reported seeing a mountain lion on Belburn Place and Broadmoor Avenue, in a neighborhood located near Erringer Road and Alamo Street.
FOX 11's Hal Eisner says in the 25 years he's lived in the neighborhood, he had not seen a mountain lion so far from the hills.
Officers with the Simi Valley Police Department and wardens with Calfornia Fish and Game responded to the area and located a mountain lion in a the Robledo family's backyard around 5 a.m.
"We heard noises and saw flashlights in the back. I look out and there are police officers and they came knocking on on the door and say 'hey, there's a mountain lion in your backyard,'" the family said.
Shortly after arriving to the home, the mountain lion jumped the fence, when wardens tranquilized the big cat.
The mountain lion is believed to be a male, 2 to 3-years-old, and an estimated 90-100 pounds.
Police say the mountain lion that was captured was not the same mountain lion behind two pet attacks, including the fatal attack of a 6-year-old miniature Schnauzer. Those incidents happened in an area about five miles away.
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The big cat was taken into custody and was released back into the wilderness, fish and wildlife officials said.
The National Park Service also placed a tracking collar on him, officials said.
Residents are asked to keep their pets and pet food inside as it could attract mountain lions.
In the event that you may see a mountain lion, officials say you shouldn't run, because it could enact their predator instinct. Instead, you are asked to make yourself big, make noise or throw something at the cat, officials said in a press conference.