Arizona Man Shoots Mountain Lion After Repeated Attacks

AmmoLand ^ | June 10, 2025 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

A mountain lion attacked a man and his dog near Buckeye, Arizona, on May 25, 2025, about 10 p.m. The attacks occurred in Verrado, which is near the Skyline Regional Park. Buckeye is a bit closer to Phoenix than it is to Yuma. This correspondent has traveled within a few miles of the attack location numerous times. It is a relatively wild stretch of desert, but close to human developments. People in the developments say there have been numerous sightings of mountain lions over the last few months. From azcentral.com:

Officials said the man engaged in “a brief altercation” with the wild animal, successfully “kicking the lion off of his dog.” But it continued to follow them as they began walking back toward their home.

When the mountain lion attempted to approach again, the man shot and killed it.

Officials said the animal was slain in self-defense. State wildlife managers picked up the carcass, and no citations were issued.

Mountain lions, as well as coyotes and bobcats, frequently view pets, and occasionally, humans as prey. Most pet owners are unwilling to stand by and allow a mountain lion to kill and eat their pet, their children, or themselves.

Due to an intense campaign to humanize wild animals, combined with a high level of prosperity and urbanization, there is a significant percentage of humans who believe any animal attack on humans is justified, but a human defense against an animal attack is not justified. Fortunately, this is a small but often vocal minority.

Here is a sample of such comments on the Facebook page that has this article:

Sheri Caldwell:  Why did he have to kill him? Why didn’t he call somebody to take him away

Matt Muyres: The lion probably didn’t attack,

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TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: attack; az; banglist; cougar; cougarrepublic; righttoarmcougars; thingsiworryabout

[marktwain]

Mountain lions, bears, wolves, coyotes which become too familiar with humans, should be taken out of the gene pool.

[omni-scientist]

Officials said the man engaged in “a brief altercation” with the wild animal.

That was his mistake, right there. I've never won an argument with any cat.

[Glennb51]

Excellent table fare.

[Bob434]

I think it was in Arizona where a lion went rogue and was attacking hikers, killing and partially eating them. Not long ago even. A fee years- can’t remember the specifics though it was arranging hikers and mountain bikers

[old school]

Shoot, Shovel And Shut-Up! Or Not!

[Savage Beast]

Officials didn't insist that he should have called in a team of social workers before shooting it?

[ridesthemiles]

CITY PEOPLE THINK YOU CAN PLAY “NICE KITTY”.

[rdcbn1]

Mountain lions are not uncommon in the foothills of mountain ranges n places like Tucson and Phoenix

They are very fast and powerful so it's dangerous if they attack people . They are mostly ambush hunters and if they stalk you, you or your dog are in a world of hurt.

I was stalked by one once at night and I am lucky to be around.

[dragnet2]

Most people in this state with a functioning brain are armed when going into the wilds or Walmart for good reason. This story is a good example of that. One less mountain lion is a good thing.

[bobbo666]

City people SHOULD play “nice kitty”. Natural selection will improve the human herd and spare attacks on those without their heads up their butts.

[Racketeer]

If you bark like a dog, the mountain lion is generally gone. If not, they are good eating if you need to protect yourself.

[DesertRhino]

Mountain Lion didn’t go rogue… it went mountain lion!

Hat tip to Chris Rock.

[DesertRhino]

https://youtu.be/kGEv5dC0lo4?si=3rB-v-w9KJr5GSYE

That tiger went tiger!

[Glennb51]

Too many disney movies. Then they find out stupid hurts.

[Bon of Babble]

I’ve heard of idiots at city council meetings say: “They were here first!” - in reference to mountain lions, coyotes, etc.

We’ve had a huge influx of coyotes where I live in the foothills of California - they can - and will and have - jumped 10 foot fences into backyards. Some local residents have put rollers on top of their fences to deter coyotes. I’ve know of several neighbors who have lost dogs and cats to coyotes - in their own fenced-in yards.

I looked it up - and this is deep blue California we’re talking about here - and it is legal to kill coyotes, they are neither endangered nor protected. I wouldn’t hesitate to kill one that attacked my cat or dogs.

[Bonemaker]

In Arizona, it’s a felony to shoot to protect your pet. (See Shannon’s Law.) The filthy government.

[Lizavetta]

Some local residents have put rollers on top of their fences to deter coyotes.

Ahh yes, the Ocelot Fence System. I found out about it researching how to keep your cat in your yard.

I used to live in Sherman Oaks, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. Very populated, but the coyotes didn't care. They would come down out of the Santa Monica mountain range and jump fences to get at pets. My husband and I would see them during the daytime on our walks.

[17th Miss Regt]

Officials didn't insist that he should have called in a team of social workers before shooting it?

They were planning to do so, but they were unable to contact the county registrar of voters or the county welfare department representatives (so they could register the lion to vote and sign him up for benefits).

[gitmo]

I once saw a man who was an expert in big cats put a wild Mountain Lion in a box using nothing but an axe handle. He never touched the animal, he simply struck the axe handle on the ground left and right until the critter jumped into the box. He closed it up and had the animal contained.

[PsyCon]

Maybe. It depends on location (inside city limits) and acting with negligence (such as firing into occupied areas.) In much of rural AZ we shoot pretty freely outside town limits (but more surgically and circumspectly or covertly - inside.)

I think the relevant portions of the statue are: “A person who with criminal negligence discharges a firearm within or into the limits of any municipality is guilty of a class 6 felony.”