Mountain lion attacks six-year-old boy in California

Authorities in Northern California are searching for a mountain lion that attacked a 6-year-old boy and began dragging him away before his father and another man fought the animal off.

The injuries were not life threatening and described as moderate, sheriff’s department Sgt. Kurtis Stenderup said. The child and family were taken to a local hospital, and officials were interviewing them about the encounter, he said.

According to ABC7 the boy was treated at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose where he was in serious condition then later upgraded to fair condition.

About 20 deputies and officers with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were searching the area for the animal. Hiking trails in the area were closed.

Stenderup said the search would end at dark. If it is located, a decision on what to do with the cat will rest with state wildlife officers, he said.

While attacks are rare, mountain lions are known to be present in much of California’s wilderness and are sometimes seen in areas where homes and commercial development adjoin wildlands.

Stenderup said this incident took place on a well-traveled trail in an open-space preserve in the Santa Cruz Mountains about two miles from a winery. It was in the area of Stevens Creek Reservoir outside the city of Cupertino, he said.

The area is known to be a mountain lion habitat, Stenderup said.

“We know mountain lions are up there, but attacks are very rare,” he said.

Agencies/Canadajournal