Authorities kill mountain lion suspected of attacking child in Rancho Penasquitos canyon

SAN DIEGO — California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers killed a mountain lion suspected of attacking a 4-year-old boy at the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve because the animal appeared to have little fear of humans, an agency spokesman said on Tuesday.

The boy was taken to Rady Children's Hospital for treatment of undisclosed but non-life-threatening injuries from the attack, which was reported shortly before 2:30 p.m. Monday at the preserve in the Rancho Penasquitos area, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and the CDFW.

Witnesses said the boy's father kicked the cat and threw a rock to scare it away.

Rady Children's provided the following statement on the child's condition on Tuesday:

"The 4-year-old boy is in good condition, recovering well from his injuries and expected to be released from the hospital soon. The family requests privacy at this time. No further updates will be available." 

The boy was with a group of 11 people at the time, in an area known as Carson's Crossing in the center of the preserve. CDFW Lt. Scott Bringman said wildlife officers responded to the scene and identified mountain lion tracks, then the animal approached the officers a short time later.

"The lion appeared to have little fear of humans, which is abnormal behavior for a mountain lion," the lieutenant said. "The wildlife officers immediately dispatched the animal to ensure public safety."

Wildlife officers collected clothing samples from the boy and sent them to the CDFW Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Sacramento, along with the mountain lion's body, for DNA analysis, Bringman said. He said wildlife forensics specialists will test the samples to confirm whether the deceased cat was responsible for the attack.

The trails will continue to be closed until they receive conformation that the animal who was killed was in fact the animal who attacked the child. 

Mountain lion experts say these are the steps you should take if you encounter a mountain lion:

• Take a buddy if you're out on the trails jogging or hiking
• Try to avoid the trails at dawn, dusk, and night, when mountain lions are most active
• Don’t run, which may trigger a chase and catch response
• Make noise and try to look bigger if you come face-to-face with the animal
• Carry bear spray, fight back and try to stay on your feet