No, they wouldn't. In every cougar attack in California in the last century (there have been 4 since 1909), the animal was tracked and killed. Additionally, California issues a couple hundred "depredation permits" to kill problem cougars every year, although only about half result in a dead animal.
If you see a cougar/mountain lion, that is because it wanted you to see it.
You are correct if and when a dangerous lion/cougar is reported to the authorities.
However, God help you if you are a normal citizen shooting a lion/cougar to protect your livestock, pets, family members or yourself.
As per the cases below some incidents have several reports:
Search Results
Web results
Mountain Lion Killing In Wine Country Sparks Anger – CBS San ...
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/.../mountain-lion-killing-in-wine-country-sparks-ang...
Feb 12, 2019 - NAPA (KPIX 5) — On Saturday, a young mountain lion was shot and killed outside a ... It was the same cat, a young male dubbed P15, that just a week before had killed a goat at Patricia ... So, we haven’t solved the problem.”.
Mountain Lion Killing In California Wine Country Sparks Anger – CBS ...
https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2019/02/12/napa-mountain-lion-killing-anger/
Feb 12, 2019 - The Press Democrat reports Tuesday the mountain lion was trapped last week and fitted with an electronic collar as part of an Audubon ...
Napa family faces backlash after killing mountain lion - SFGate
https://www.sfgate.com/.../Mountain-lion-killing-in-California-wine-county-1361026...
Feb 12, 2019 - She said she also feared for the safety of their three young children, as the ... Last July, a mountain lion that killed a goat in Kenwood was put ...
Mountain Lion Killed in Napa Sparks Anger | FOX40
https://fox40.com/2019/02/12/mountain-lion-killed-in-napa-sparks-anger/
Feb 12, 2019 - NAPA (AP) — A fatally shot young mountain lion in Northern California that ... She said they feared for the safety of their three young children. ... the animal, but they did not need one if their livestock was in imminent danger.
Mountain lion shot and killed after attacking sheep in Napa - ABC7 News
https://abc7news.com/pets-animals/mountain-lion-shot-killed-after...napa/5135318/
Feb 12, 2019 - Mountain lion shot and killed after attacking sheep in Napa ... “When you feel like your children and your livestock are being so threatened you ...
Young mountain lion shot dead in Napa area after preying on two sheep
www.pressdemocrat.com/news/9272285-181/young-mountain-lion-shot-dead
Feb 11, 2019 - Young mountain lion shot dead in Napa area after preying on two sheep ... concern for the safety of three young children and their small family herd amid ... In each case, those killed were young lions still learning to hunt and believed ... but also did not need to have one if the livestock is in imminent danger.
Young mountain lion shot and killed by Napa homeowner days after it ...
https://www.latimes.com/local/.../la-me-ln-mountain-lion-shot-20190212-story.html
Feb 12, 2019 - A recently collared mountain lion was shot and killed by Napa ... Tira said state law requires residents who wish to kill problem cats to apply for a ... the Press Democrat that she feared for the safety of their three young children.
Turkey-hunting teen kills mountain lion | News | napavalleyregister.com
https://napavalleyregister.com/...kills-mountain-lion/article_fee9becb-f4ba-54df-b780-6...
Apr 7, 2004 - Turkey-hunting teen kills mountain lion ... “I thought it was going to kill me. ... “Based on my findings so far, the boys’ account of what happened appears to ...
Napa County teen kills mountain lion | The Weekly Calistogan ...
https://napavalleyregister.com/.../napa...kills-mountain-lion/article_643da2b7-10dd-5...
Apr 8, 2004 - Napa County teen kills mountain lion .... “Based on my findings so far, the boys’ account of what happened appears to be legitimate and that ...
California mountain lion shot dead by landowners after preying on ...
https://www.foxnews.com/.../california-mountain-lion-shot-dead-by-landowners-after-pr...
Feb 12, 2019 - Colorado man kills mountain lion with bare hands ... Alejandra Calderon, of Napa, estimated the mountain lion was only about 20 feet ... In the event a big cat is posing a danger to livestock, proper documents ... Healthy Living · Medical Research · Mental Health · Cancer · Heart Health · Children’s Health ..
Don’t ruin some fun California bashing with facts and stuff.