For the third time in less than a week, a mountain lion killed a
sheep at a residence less than a mile from downtown Morgan Hill
Saturday morning.
For the third time in less than a week, a mountain lion killed a sheep at a residence less than a mile from downtown Morgan Hill Saturday morning.
Police were called to the home on the 100 block of West Dunne Avenue Saturday morning when the homeowner found another of her Barbados sheep had been mauled and killed by an animal, Sgt. Jerry Neumayer said.
Morgan Hill’s animal control officer and staff from the Department of Fish and Game responded, and determined the sheep was likely killed by a mountain lion.
Authorities think the sheep, which was grazing in a small fenced pasture, was killed sometime between 3:30 and 6:30 a.m. Saturday.
The attack was at least the third in one week, according to the property owner, Gayle Richter. Two of her sheep were killed earlier in the week, sometime around April 20.
Police think both sheep were killed late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, though Richter said one was killed earlier in the week.
And in previous weeks, Richter reported at least two more sheep killed by a mountain lion to police, bringing the total number of carcasses on the property to five this year.
Authorities could not confirm that a single mountain lion is responsible for the attack, though they acknowledged it is likely.
Following the most recent attack, police sent out an automated phone alert to residents within a two-mile radius of the property, notifying them of the predator’s potentially lurking presence.
Authorities also set up a trap with bait on the property in an attempt to catch the animal, Neumayer said.
Richter was in the process of removing her remaining sheep from the property Monday morning.
“We’re hoping once the sheep are gone the mountain lion will go to the trap,” Neumayer said.
Areas surrounding Morgan Hill are known as a natural habitat for mountain lions, who have been known to venture into urban areas to acquire food, authorities said.
Though mountain lion attacks against humans are rare, the animals are dangerous and should be avoided, police said.
The property where last week’s attacks occurred is surrounded by subdivisions and apartment complexes.
Residents are urged to keep a close eye on their children and pets, police said. Hikers should go out in groups rather than solo. Anyone who sees a mountain lion should not approach it, but should also avoid running as doing so might spark the animal’s instinct to chase. If attacked, human victims should fight back.
