The Boulder Police Department is urging caution after a local mountain lion attack resulted in the death of a family pet in recent days.

According to a press release on the matter, residents in the area of North Boulder were walking their small dog at about 9:30 p.m. on July 25 when a mountain lion suddenly appeared and jumped on top of the pet. The dog appeared to be killed instantly, with its body then taken away by the mountain lion. The mountain lion did not threaten the dog’s human companions.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife were notified about the incident and responded the following day after the mountain lion was spotted in the same area again, located near where the attack occurred on the 2400 block of Balsam Avenue. Multiple Boulder Police Animal Protection officers and City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks rangers were part of that response, as well.

Authorities believed that the mountain lion was likely storing the deceased dog or another animal nearby in a cache, which could explain why it was sticking around. Mountain lions will often hide kills for later consumption by dragging a kill to a secluded area and then covering it with nearby debris in attempt to conceal if from scavengers. The mountain lion will then return to feed on the prey for up to 10 days, only able to eat about 20 to 30 pounds per meal.

Once authorities located the mountain lion, they observed the animal as it lurked near the same bush for about two hours. It then left, and authorities found the deceased dog’s remains in a nearby backyard. Animal Protection officers recovered the remains to prevent the mountain lion from returning to the area and to give the dog’s family closure.

While some big game species in Colorado can be relocated when an issue arises, the territorial nature of mountain lions makes this strategy far less effective. Mountain lions tend to claim an area as their own, often being the only mountain lion in that given territory. When a mountain lion eventually leaves an area or is relocated, another mountain lion often moves in to claim that area as its own. This is why removing or relocating mountain lions is only really done – at least in the Boulder area – when a mountain lion poses a direct threat to humans or is acting abnormal or aggressively.

Authorities noted that while this type of attack is rare, it is important for the public to know what to do if a mountain lion is encountered.

Here are the tips that the Boulder Police Department provided:

• “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.”

While mountain lions tend to be great at traveling through ecosystems unnoticed, if their typical prey is present in an area, there’s a good chance they might be, too. As it pertains to pet owners, it’s important to avoid leaving dogs and cats unattended outside. Eliminating potential hiding areas in the yard and utilizing motion-sensor lights can also be good mountain lion deterrents. Keeping dogs on-leash can be a good way of keeping them close and safe, as well.

Condolences go out to the family involved in this incident.

STAY INFORMED: Get free Colorado news with our daily newsletter (Click here)