Authorities are still trying to decide whether to charge a man who killed a mountain lion with a rifle while trying to save his dog last week.
Colorado Division of Wildlife spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill said the man, whom she declined to identify other than to say he is from out of state, could be charged with taking game illegally or a lesser charge of hunting without a license.
Taking game illegally can carry a $1,000 fine and a $370 surcharge, she said.
The man was staying at a home near Gross Reservoir west of Boulder when he heard his dog barking outside about 1:30 a.m. Friday. He saw the mountain lion attacking his dog, so he shot it with a rifle. The dog survived.
“You have the legal right to protect your personal safety, your personal property and your livestock,” Churchill said. “A pet dog is not considered any of those.”
Mike McPhee, The Denver Post
