Mountain Lion Attacks Deer in El Cerrito, Police Issue Warning

El Cerrito police issued a warning today to residents to be on the lookout after finding an injured deer Friday that had been attacked by a young mountain lion.

Police responded to the 5800 block of Charles Street on Friday shortly after midnight after a neighbor called to report hearing the sound of a moaning animal, according to Corporal Gilbert Tang.

Charles Street is located north of Barrett Avenue, in the northern part of the city.

While wildlife experts say attacks on human are rare, the police notice  recommends not leaving small children or pets unattended. It offers guidelines on how to respond to an encounter as well as a link to a Department of Fish and Game website about mountain lions. The department also has a Youtube video about mountain lion safety.

Responding officers contacted Contra Costa County Animal Services, which determined that the deer had been attacked by a younger mountain lion, Tang said. Animal Services also determined that the animal was too severely injured to be saved, he said. Based on that information, police killed the deer and the carcass was taken away by Animal Services, Tang said.

Animal Services Lt. Cedric Williams-Cain said his department was contacted at 1:03 a.m. and that Sgt. Jane Andreotti arrived on the scene at 1:40 a.m.

The amount of blood at the scene suggests that the attack happened on Charles Street, Williams-Cain said. He said the large bite marks and deep claw marks were consistent with a mountain lion attack, and that the span of the claw marks suggested it was a young mountain lion that attacked.

The assessment that the deer would not survive, he said, was based on the location of the claw marks on the neck and upper back and that main arteries were affected.

Residents are asked to call police at (510) 237-3233 or Contra Costa County Animal Control at (925) 646-2441 if they see a mountain lion.

The news release from the El Cerrito police department said in part:

 “Although mountain lion attacks on persons are rare, the El Cerrito Police Department recommends the following safety tips when encountering a mountain lion. Do not approach a mountain lion. Do not run from a mountain lion, but slowly walk away while facing the mountain lion. Do not crouch or bend over in front of a mountain lion. If a mountain lion approaches you, make yourself look larger by extending your arms and waving them while making lots of noise or throwing rocks or other objects at the lion. Don’t leave small children or pets outside unattended. Deer proof your landscaping by avoiding plants deer like to eat.”