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Mountain lion breaks into house, kills homeowner’s cat

Posted at 2:40 PM, Aug 10, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-10 16:40:36-04

BOULDER, Colo. — A Colorado resident walked in on a very unwelcome guest Wednesday night after returning home to find that a mountain lion had managed to slip inside the residence.

Police tweeted a photo of the big cat sitting between a couch and coffee table. According to the tweet, the mountain lion entered the Boulder home through a screen door.

The mountain lion made its way around both levels of the home and it took Boulder police and Colorado Parks and Wildlife over an hour to coax the animal out of the home using less lethal force, a statement from Boulder Police and Fire said.

Shortly after midnight, the mountain lion left the front door. Several less lethal rounds were fired to send the mountain lion out of the area.

No people were injured, but the mountain lion did kill the homeowner’s cat, police said.

Police are urging local residents to keep ground level doors and windows closed and locked at night and when they leave.

Wild Aware Utah provides tips for avoiding encounters with potentially dangerous wildlife as well as advice for how to respond should you encounter a wild animal.

See below for their tips regarding encounters with mountain lions, which are also called cougars:

  • Stop. Never run from a cougar. Do not approach the cougar.
  • Maintain eye contact.
  • Pick up children and pets or keep them very close.
  • Stand up tall.
  • Do not crouch or squat.
  • Make yourself look bigger by raising and waving your arms or jacket above your head.
  • Talk firmly in a loud voice, back away slowly and leave the area.
  • Fight back if you are attacked! Protect your head and neck.
  • If you are aggressive enough the cougar will probably flee.