KETCHUM, Idaho — Mountain lions have killed two dogs this month near houses in the Wood River Valley, Idaho wildlife officials said.
While it's not uncommon for mountain lions to roam in search of food, one killed a 60-pound dog Saturday in a Ketchum subdivision, the Times-News reported. Idaho Fish and Game shot the animal.
"If a mountain lion has attacked a pet on private property, particularly in a yard ... basically it's at least showing a habituation to people and making pets a prey source in the yards," the agency's Magic Valley Region supervisor, Craig White, said.
Officials say they received multiple reports about a mountain lion in the area close to where Warm Springs Creek meets the Big Wood River. They don't know whether the sightings were of the same animal.
Fish and Game got word in mid-January that a mountain lion in Bellevue attacked a dog, which later died. The agency couldn't find the big cat.
The Blaine County Sheriff's Office has recommended residents keep small children inside when possible and not feed pets outside.
Mountain lions are more active between dusk and dawn and have been known to take down a full-grown bull elk of about 800 pounds, White said.
Fish and Game warns never to approach a mountain lion or offer it food. The agency says not to run, turn your back on the animal, crouch down or try to hide. Slowly back away while facing the cat and make sure you leave it an escape route, according to the agency.
If the mountain lion attacks, fight back, wildlife officials say. People are told to stay on their feet and improvise weapons with sticks, rocks, a backpack or your hands.
