A late-night dog walk in north Glendale turned into a nightmare Monday when a mountain lion lunged in, grabbed a leashed dog and bolted toward the nearby hillside, the dog’s owner said.
Owner Laura McVay said she was just a few feet from her front door with her dog Declan when she felt a hard tug on the leash and saw a large cat seize him and run.
Owner's Account and Ongoing Search
As reported by CBS Los Angeles, the attack happened at about 11:30 p.m. near Matilija and Cleveland roads. "I pulled his leash and started screaming," McVay told CBS Los Angeles, describing how the mountain lion ran up the street with Declan's leash dragging behind.
CBS Los Angeles reported that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has been notified and that a biologist has been assigned to investigate the incident.
What Wildlife Officials Say
State wildlife guidance urges residents to be especially cautious along the edges of mountain habitat and open space, where encounters with big cats are more likely. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, people should keep pets close, avoid walking alone at dawn or dusk near open areas, and use the department's Wildlife Incident Reporting system to log sightings and attacks.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife also advises that if someone is confronted by a mountain lion, they should try to appear larger, make noise, and back away slowly instead of running.
Local Response and Resources
The City of Glendale contracts with the Pasadena Humane Society for animal-control services and provides wildlife safety information for residents who live near the hills. The City of Glendale advises residents to call 911 for immediate threats and lists contact information for non-emergency animal services and reporting.
The city also maintains an interactive animal-sightings map to help officials track patterns and activity in neighborhoods along the Verdugo foothills.
Why This Happens Near the Foothills
Big cats periodically leave the Verdugo Mountains and wander into neighborhoods that border open space, and past pet attacks and sightings have been documented by local news outlets. As the Los Angeles Times has reported in previous years, such encounters are not unusual along Glendale's ridgelines.
Wildlife experts say these incidents typically occur where urban development presses up against deer habitat, especially when natural prey is harder to find.
How Neighbors Can Protect Pets
Officials recommend keeping dogs on short leashes, picking up small pets instead of letting them walk on the ground near brushy areas, walking in groups after dark, and removing attractants such as pet food from yards.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife asks anyone with photos, video or other information about a mountain lion encounter to report it so biologists can track the animal's movements. Residents who see a mountain lion acting aggressively are urged to call 911 and keep a safe distance.
