Family dog chased a cat up a tree in California, but it ‘wasn’t just any cat.’ See it
First responders in California helped rescue a cat from a tree — except it “wasn’t just any cat,” police said.
Instead, it was a mountain lion.
The young male mountain lion wandered into the yard of a family in Tustin, southeast of Los Angeles, on Nov. 18, the Tustin Police Department wrote in a Facebook post.
When the family let their dog out, police said, the pup chased the mountain lion up a tree.
Officials from California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other agencies responded, and the animal was tranquilized and taken out of the tree, Orange County Fire Authority wrote on Facebook. Video from the scene shows officials carrying the mountain lion with a tarp, tending to it and loading it into a vehicle.
The mountain lion was relocated to Cleveland National Forest, about a 125-mile drive southeast of Tustin, police said.
It’s important to be careful around mountain lions and never approach them.
“Today’s incident is also a reminder that when it comes to wildlife, giving them their space and calling the appropriate authorities is best for their safety and ours,” Orange County Fire Authority wrote
What to do if you see a mountain lion
Mountain lions are typically “calm, quiet and elusive,” according to the National Park Service. While attacks involving mountain lions are rare, they are possible.
“Even so, the potential for being killed or injured by a mountain lion is quite low compared to many other natural hazards,” the National Park Service said on its website. “There is a far greater risk, for example, of being killed in an automobile accident with a deer than of being attacked by a mountain lion.”
Officials said there are some things you can do to prevent a mountain lion encounter from becoming an attack.
Stay calm and back away slowly.
Face the lion and stand up straight.
Don’t approach a mountain lion, especially if it’s with kittens.
Don’t run. It could stimulate a mountain lion’s chase instincts.
Pick up small children so they don’t panic or run away.
Don’t bend over or crouch down.
Throw things at the mountain lion if it continues to move toward you.
If the mountain lion attacks, fight back using anything around you.
Report all sightings, encounters or attacks to local park rangers or law enforcement.
This story was originally published November 19, 2024 at 3:30 PM with the headline "Family dog chased a cat up a tree in California, but it ‘wasn’t just any cat.’ See it."
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