A mountain lion killed a small dog in Boulder on Friday night, prompting renewed warnings from police and wildlife officials about safety in mountain lion territory. The attack happened around 9:30 p.m. in the 2400 block of Balsam Avenue while local residents were walking their dog. According to Boulder Police, the mountain lion pounced without warning, killing the dog instantly. It took the animal and disappeared, but did not threaten the owners during the encounter.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Boulder Police Animal Protection officers responded to a second mountain lion sighting in the same area the following day. Officials believe the mountain lion remained close by because it had stored the dog’s body—or possibly another animal—in a nearby location to return to feed. This behavior is common and explains why the big cat lingered in the area overnight.
Wildlife officers monitored the location for nearly two hours before the mountain lion left the bushes where it had been hiding and vanished. Authorities then recovered the dog’s body from a nearby backyard, allowing the family to have closure.
While attacks on pets are rare, mountain lions are native to Colorado and regularly roam parts of the Front Range, including urban areas like Boulder. Boulder Police say the removal or relocation of one mountain lion doesn’t eliminate future conflict, as other lions will often move into the vacated territory.
Instead, the city focuses on education and public awareness. Officials encourage residents to stay calm if they encounter a mountain lion, avoid running, make themselves appear larger, and throw objects if necessary. If a lion does attack, fighting back is often the best defense.
Relocation or removal is reserved only for lions that exhibit abnormal or aggressive behavior toward people. Boulder Police and CPW stress that understanding mountain lion behavior and practicing caution are key to avoiding further incidents.
