BOULDER, Colo.—State wildlife officials have decided against charging a Wisconsin man who shot and killed a mountain lion that attacked his dog.
The man, who is living temporarily in the foothills near Nederland, said he shot the mountain lion Oct. 5 when the cat wouldn’t release the dog. State law allows people to shoot a mountain lion if their personal safety or livestock are threatened, but officials said they didn’t know if that extended to dogs.
But Kathi Green, acting manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s northeast region, said an investigation found that the man acted in accordance with the law to protect his personal safety.
The division didn’t release the man’s name.
DOW spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill said wildlife officers recommended that the man keep his dogs inside while in mountain lion habitat.
The division advises people in person and on its Web site to keep pets under control because they will attract mountain lions.
“We’re disappointed because I think it sends the wrong message about personal responsibility in mountain lion country,” said Wendy Keefover-Ring of Boulder-based Sinapu, which advocates restoration and protection of such native carnivores as wolves and mountain lions.
Keefover-Ring said she doesn’t disagree with people protecting their personal safety, but believes the circumstances of the shooting are unclear.
The man told wildlife officers that he was awakened early in the morning and went outside where the dog was chained up. He said a mountain lion had the dog in its mouth and wouldn’t let it go even after he yelled at it.
The man said he went inside for his rifle and shot the cat.
Keefover-Ring said state and local animal-cruelty laws say people shouldn’t place their pets in harm’s way.
“Tying dogs up at night in mountain lion country is probably not appropriate behavior,” she said.
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On the Net: Colorado Divison of Wildlife, mountain lions: m
