Mountain Lion Enters House In LA County, Video Shows

LA VERNE, CA — A mountain lion was recently captured on camera strolling into a home in east Los Angeles County, surveillance footage published by KTLA shows.

The big cat was recorded at 1 p.m. Saturday in La Verne, walking through the open door, according to the outlet. The animal was startled by a person inside, ran out through the back screen and jumped in the pool, popping a floaty on its way out, KTLA reported.

The incident occurred less than a week after an 11-year-old girl was attacked by a mountain lion outside a Malibu home on Aug. 10, according to multiple reports, which noted that in that case, the animal was killed by authorities.

The California Department of Fish & Wildlife offers these tips for surviving mountain lion encounters:

• Do not hike, bike or jog alone. Stay alert on trails.
• Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active — dawn, dusk and at night.
• Keep a close watch on small children.
• Off-leash dogs on trails are at increased risk of becoming prey for a mountain lion.
• Never approach a mountain lion. Give them an escape route.
• Do not run. Stay calm. Running may trigger chase, catch and kill response. Do not turn your back. Face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms, or opening your jacket; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.
• Do not crouch down or bend over. Squatting puts you in a vulnerable position of appearing much like a four-legged prey animal.
• Be vocal; however, speak calmly and do not use high-pitched tones or screams.
• Teach others how to behave during an encounter. Anyone who runs may initiate an attack.
• Carry and know how to use bear spray to deter a mountain lion. Bear spray has been shown to be successful in emergency situations with mountain lions. Have the spray readily accessible. Carry it in a holster belt or attach it to a mountain bike. Talk to the folks at your local outdoor store. Make sure you know how to properly use bear spray. People have been known to spray their own faces when attempting to use it.
• If a lion attacks, fight back. Research on mountain lion attacks suggests that many potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, garden tools and even an ink pen or bare hands. Try to stay on your feet. If knocked down, try to protect head and neck.
• If a mountain lion attacks a person, immediately call 911.
• Report unusual mountain lion behavior to your local department of fish and wildlife regional office.