Boy Spots Possible Mountain Lion In San Anselmo
SAN ANSELMO (CBS SF) -- A mountain lion was reportedly spotted in San Anselmo Thursday evening, police said.
Police received reports of a possible sighting in the 400 block of Redwood Road about 7:45 p.m.
An 11-year-old boy described seeing an animal that could have been a mountain lion in the area. The boy told his father, who reported the sighting to police.
Police searched the area but did not locate the animal.
The California Department of Fish and Game and the Marin County Humane Society were notified of the possible sighting.
Officers went door-to-door in the neighborhood and distributed flyers from the Department of Fish and Game on how to avoid an encounter with mountain lions.
Officials are reminding residents not to feed deer. It is not only illegal in California, but attracts mountain lions, police said.
Pet food can also attract raccoons and opossums, which are prey for mountain lions, and residents are urged to bring the food inside. Pets should also be brought inside at dawn, dusk and throughout the night, when mountain lions are most active.
In the event of a mountain lion encounter, do not run, police said. Face the animal, make noise, and try to look bigger by waving arms and throwing rocks or other objects.
If attacked, fight back, police said.
More information about mountain lions can be found at www.keepmewild.org/.
San Anselmo police are also reminding residents of a free community message system that alerts members to advisories and notifications via email or text messages. Residents can sign up for the alert system at www.nixle.com.
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