Earlier this week, the Boulder Police Department informed the Boulder community of a mountain lion attack on a dog in North Boulder that occurred on July 25 at around 9:30 p.m. in the 2400 block of Balsam Avenue. Residents of the neighborhood were walking their small dog when a mountain lion appeared and jumped on their dog, killing it instantly.
The mountain lion did not threaten the residents, the department said. It took the dog’s remains to a nearby backyard. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) was called.
According to the police department, this type of attack is rare, despite mountain lions being commonly found in Colorado.
On July 26, there was another sighting of the same mountain lion in the neighborhood, and CPW, several Boulder Police Animal Protection officers, and Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Rangers responded to the area. The group spent almost two hours monitoring the area before the mountain lion left the bush where it had been hiding and “disappeared,” according to the Boulder Police Department.
Animal Protection officers recovered the dog’s remains on July 26.
The police department shared the following information to help residents respond appropriately to mountain lion encounters, if they do occur:
“Do not approach lions. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give the lion a way to escape.
Stay calm if you come upon a lion. Talk to it in a firm voice in an effort to demonstrate that you are human and not its regular prey.
Back away slowly. Running may stimulate a lion's instinct to chase and attack.
Face the lion and make an effort to appear as large as possible. Open your jacket or lift objects to appear like a more formidable opponent. Pick up your children.
If the lion behaves aggressively, throw rocks, sticks or whatever you can pick up, without turning your back to the lion or bending down.
If the lion would happen to attack, fight back. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back. Remain standing and keep attempting to get back up if you are brought to the ground.”
