By Shannon Lukens. (Some pictures are disturbing.)
A mountain lion just outside of Meeker climbed into a pen with three goats and has killed them. It happened last week and the kills have been confirmed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
“I came home from work and it’s dark when I get home and I had to sit in my car until the sun came up because I was terrified to get out of my car.”
Courtesy photos of goats before the attack.
That’s Brinda Johnson who owns the goats. She has had Willy for 14 years. The concern from her boyfriend, Chris Collins, was how close the attack was to the house.
“The most concerning part about Brinda losing her three goats was the proximity to the house. We found them Tuesday evening. Looked like they’d been killed by a mountain lion because they were partially covered up with dirt and leaves. The most concerning part other than the fact that she lost three important animals in her life was the proximity to the house. And the feeling that when it’s dark, you can’t go outside your own house without the fear that there’s a potential predator out there.”
Colorado Parks and Wildlife says mountain lions cannot be killed when they are causing damage to personal property, including pets. But they can be killed if they are killing or causing injury to livestock, human life, real property, or a motor vehicle. If you kill a mountain lion, you are required to report it to Colorado Parks and Wildlife within five days.
From Colorado Parks and Wildlife — Statute 33-3-106(3), WCR 1700(V), WCR 1700 (W) & WCR 1702(B)
- Black bears and mountain lions CAN NOT be destroyed when they are causing damage to personal property, including pets.
- Black bears and mountain lions CAN be killed when it is NECESSARY to prevent them from inflicting death, damage or injury to livestock, human life, real property, or a motor vehicle. Any wildlife killed shall remain the property of the state, and such killing shall be reported to the division within five days. “Real property” means land and generally whatever is erected or growing upon or affixed to land. (Note: “Personal Property” means everything that is subject to ownership, other than real estate. Personal property includes moveable and tangible things such as pets, furniture and merchandise.)
Here is Brinda Johnson again.
“It makes me sick to my stomach. I don’t want it to happen to anyone else. I don’t want anyone else to be afraid to leave their own front door, to have to look out to see if there’s something out there that’s going to get them.”
Johnson plans to file the paperwork for reimbursement by the state.
Report a Mountain Lion Conflict
Mountain Lions on Colorado Parks and Wildlife Website
