An unexpected and wild chase was caught on camera in a Morada backyard on Friday when a dog was seen pursuing a mountain lion. The surprising footage left residents, including homeowner Sandy Ali, astonished.
BIG CAT! Coming up on @kcranews at 10&11, we talked with the woman whose family dog chased a mountain lion through their yard this weekend.
— KCRA Lee Anne Denyer (@KCRALeeAnne) August 13, 2023
"My friend looked out and said, 'Oh your dogs are playing' and I said, 'I only have one dog.'"
📷: Sandy Ali pic.twitter.com/lI9yyFLzgx
Ali, a long-time resident of Morada, remarked that she had never witnessed such an event despite living in the area for several years. She recounted the incident to KCRA-TV, explaining how she became aware of the unusual activity in her backyard. "I was having a bible study in our rec room,” said Ali. “My friend looked out and said, ‘Oh your dogs are playing’ and I said, ‘I only have one dog.’” It was then that she realized a mountain lion was in the vicinity.
She recalled the moment when the majestic mountain lion gracefully jumped into a tree, noting, "It’s really beautiful. It just, in one leap, was up in the tree so quickly."
Acting promptly, Ali dialed 911. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office then informed the community about the presence of the big cat through a warning alert. Importantly, they emphasized that the animal wasn't aggressive and did not pose any immediate threat.
However, capturing the elusive creature wasn't easy. Efforts to trap it stretched from Friday into the early hours of Saturday. The sheriff’s office reported on Twitter, “Our deputies and animal services worked well into the morning hours trying to safely trap the mountain lion that was spotted in a residential backyard on La Loma Street near Los Cerritos. Unfortunately, efforts were unsuccessful.”
Though the mountain lion is not currently considered a direct threat, the sheriff’s office has encouraged residents to act cautiously and ensure their pets are safely inside their homes.
