Alledged Mountain Lion Attack A Fake?

Written by Roger

The report of a man being attacked by a mountain lion yesterday (08/06/08) is now suspected as being fabricated.  The man reported that he was "swatted" by a mother mountain lion and sustained a scratch to the arm when he approached 3 cubs.  He said he approached the cubs to pet them because he thought they were cute. Officials spent hours searching for the mountain lions, potentially to "put them down" (kill) or relocate them to another wilderness area in San Diego.  Officials are now saying that the scratch on his arm does not look like it was from a mountain lion attack, and that there are inconsistencies in his story...  Officials say he could be prosecuted if he is found to have filed a false report. The park was closed during the investigation but was reopened late in the afternoon.  Foothill Ranch elementary school, which shares a boundary with the wilderness park, was locked down as a result of this event, affecting many children that attend a summer program there (including one of my own). More details can be found here at KTLA news, or at OC Register or at LA TImes.