“We’ve lost three dogs in the last seven years,” resident Bob Brown said, adding that his initial reaction to losing a beloved family pet in the middle of the night took into consideration the fact that residents have moved into the wild animals’ territory. However, when he witnessed the third victim, one of two a month apart — a 65-pound dog — carried away by the mountain lion, he became more motivated to protect his pets and family.
“With this particular cat out there now, something needs to be done,” he said.
That theme was prevalent as about a dozen residents shared their concerns with the council during public comment portion of the agendized coyote and mountain lion discussion. The discussion was highlighted with a presentation by La Cañada resident Debbie Johannes, who compiled data and sighting locations after receiving more than 60 solicited responses in the past few weeks from folks who have encountered or had pets taken by wild animals.
“I was overwhelmed by the number of phone calls I received,” Johannes said, adding that the movement from predators snatching smaller pets to a call she received Monday about a child on a scooter being confronted by a mountain lion shows that the animals are, “eating their way up the food chain.”
Also on hand at the council meeting was Mike Pearson of the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commission. Pearson explained that his department only handles the coyote element, as mountain lions are considered an endangered species and are protected by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. No one from that department was available to attend Monday’s meeting, city staff reported.
