Police say they believe a mountain lion swiped a Scottish terrier from a fenced-in Erie backyard late last week.
Shortly after midnight Friday, a small dog was taken from a backyard near the Erie Air Park, according to an Erie Police Department social media post. The dog’s owner reported seeing the mountain lion in his backyard on Commander Street, and there have been no other sightings since, Erie police spokesperson Amber Luttrell said.
The dog’s owner shared a series of screenshots from his surveillance footage, and both Erie police and Colorado Parks and Wildlife believe the animal to be a mountain lion, Luttrell said.
As of about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, the dog had not been found, Luttrell said.
Erie’s animal control officer is currently investigating, according to the post. CPW is also working with Erie police, Luttrell said.
Erie police ask residents to call dispatch at 303-441-4444 or CPW at 303-291-7227 to report mountain lion sightings.
If you see a mountain lion, don’t approach it, police further advise. Erie police also say keeping pets indoors overnight and watching them when they’re outside can help deter mountain lions. Police also recommend keeping pet food or bird seed inside, installing motion-activated lights or cameras, and using secure fencing in backyards.
In July, a mountain lion killed a Boulder couple’s dog as they took him for an evening walk.
Erie’s recommendations mirror those of CPW’s. After the Boulder incident in July, CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose shared some tips for avoiding mountain lion attacks:
• If you must take your dog out at night, turn the lights on or bring a flashlight.
• Make noise before letting a dog out to scare off any nearby wild animal.
• Do not let a dog run around at night in the dark.
Mountain lions are far more likely to prey on a pet at night, when the pet is off-leash and nothing is making the lion think twice, Van Hoose added at the time.
“They’re not necessarily very visible,” Van Hoose said. “And they want it that way.”
Mountain lions are native to Colorado, and it is normal to see them — especially in open space or wildlife corridors, Erie police say. It’s normal to see such a lion in Erie and elsewhere in Boulder County. That doesn’t mean residents are helpless against attacks, though.
Erie police say taking precautions before an attack and moving quickly to report sightings can make a difference in protecting the community.
“Most (mountain lions) are elusive and avoid humans — but they may be drawn closer to homes by easily accessible food sources, including unattended pets,” the post states. “Your vigilance and quick reporting help us keep both our community and native wildlife safe.”