Northern California dog alerts owner of mountain lion hiding in the dark

(FOX40.COM) — In March, El Dorado County witnessed the first fatal mountain lion attack on a human in California in the last three decades, and residents continue to report close encounters with the state’s largest predator .

On Wednesday night, Susan Davis of Placerville had a close encounter with one of these big cats and was only alerted of its presence by her best friend and dog, Boy.

While sitting outside of her trailer, Boy started growling like Davis had never heard before. Davis spotted the mountain lion and stood up tall to make herself not like look like prey.

“The mountain was crouched and did not move and I said, okay! I’m out of here,” Davis told FOX40.com. “So we just went in the house, closed the door, and that was it.”

El Dorado County spans from the lower Sierra foothills to South Lake Tahoe, the prime roaming and hunting area for California’s mountain lion population.

“This is where they’re supposed to be and it is where they are,” California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Peter Tria told FOX40.com. “And El Dorado County like so many Sierra foothills communities is mountain lion habitat.”

Although CDFW has not seen an increase in sightings they are receiving regular reports of sightings.

Tria said that these mountain lions are only following their food sources which have been brought closer to urban areas as they also look for food.

“When you have these suburban communities landscaped with water and lush landscaping, that’s very attractive to deer and deer are a mountain lion’s favorite food source,” Tria said.

Tira also said that enclosing livestock and other animals at night can help reduce the likelihood of an attack. Along with installing motion-activated flood lights and clearing brush around homes.

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