Mountain Lion Attacks and Eats Poodle in Glendale Yard

GLENDALE, CA — Authorities in Glendale Friday warned residents to take precautions after a mountain lion attacked and ate a resident's dog earlier this week.

The attack happened about 11:15 p.m. Monday in the 3800 block of Lockerbie Court, according to city spokesman Thomas Lorenz.

The dog, a 42-pound standard poodle, was in an enclosed yard, officials said.

It was attacked at a property immediately adjacent to a forested area, according to Andrew Hughan of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who called the incident a case of a "lion being a lion."

"We are not investigating," he said. "(The) owner was understanding."

Although mountain lions prefer to prey upon deer, they will also go after pets and livestock if given the opportunity.

Authorities advised residents to:

--since lions prefer to eat deer, deer-proof landscaping by avoiding plants they like to eat;

--trim brush to reduce cover;

--always attend to children and pets when outdoors;

--install motion-sensitive lighting;

--keep pets inside at dawn, dusk and at night, when predators are most active; and

--bring pet food inside to avoid attracting possible mountain lion prey such as raccoons, opossums and other smaller wildlife.

City News Service; Photos courtesy of the National Park Service