Mountain Lion Spotted Just Outside San Mateo County Home

SAN MATEO, CA — A mountain lion was sighted in the Highlands area near San Mateo on Tuesday evening, according to San Mateo County officials. The cat came within 25 feet of a residence in the first block of Bennington Court several times around 6:40 p.m.

The animal left, heading into an adjacent rural area without any human contact, but county officials say there are a number of residences nearby.

Occupants should keep their pets indoors during dusk, dawn and evening hours. County officials advise closing and locking doors and windows as well.

In order to avoid mountain lion encounters, county officials say residents should not feed wild deer, which attracts predators and is illegal in the state of California.

People should not approach mountain lions in the event of a sighting, especially if they're eating or their offspring are nearby. If they have a close encounter with one, they should face the animal, make noise, throw rocks or other objects and try to look bigger, according to the county.

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— By Bay City News Service / Image via Shutterstock