CA Mountain Lion Killed After Attacking Child

CALABASAS, CA — A mountain lion that wounded a 5-year-old boy in Calabasas was shot and killed by a wildlife official, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said.

The 65-pound mountain lion reportedly attacked the child in his front yard around 10:45 a.m. Thursday. The boy sustained wounds to his neck, head and upper torso. The child's mother was able to stop the attack by striking the large cat several times.

The boy was hospitalized but was expected to recover, officials said.

Wildlife law enforcement officials investigated the incident and interviewed the family at the hospital. When they visited the scene of the attack, they spotted the mountain lion crouched in the corner of the family's yard.

"Due to its behavior and proximity to the attack, the warden believed it was likely the attacking lion," according to CDFW.

The animal was shot and killed on site by officials. DNA samples taken from the mountain lion later confirmed that it was the creature that attacked the child.

Officials tranquilized and tested another mountain lion spotted in the area to confirm it was not involved in the attack. The cat was later released back into the wild after DNA tests confirmed that it was not part of the aggression.

City News Service contributed to this report.