Mountain lion euthanized following daytime attack on Front Range

A mountain lion attacked and  killed a dog during daylight hours in the Front Range town of Evergreen on Monday. The dog had been let out by the owner to use the restroom. Following the attack, the mountain lion stuck around the area, unfazed by the commotion following the event. The decision was made to euthanize the cat due to its malnourished condition and its brazen behavior.

While mountain lions tend to be loners, rarely seen by humans – especially in populated areas, they have been known to head toward civilization when desperate for food, which seems to be the case in this instance.

Dry conditions this year coupled by big wildfires have seemingly more animals turning toward cities as a food source. When predators follow the grazers, this can put house pets at risk. With winter months nearing, wild animals are looking to pack on as many pounds as possible, making this a prime time for dangerous pet-wildlife interactions.

Keep an eye on your dog when it’s let out and cat indoor cats inside as much as possible.

Here’s a look at where the incident occurred. As you can see, it’s close to mountainous foothills, making this attack less of a surprise. That being said, mountain lions have been known to venture deeper into civilization when they feel the need.