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FALLBROOK, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) A family in Fallbrook received a shocking surprise this week when a mountain lion was caught in a backyard trap intended for the creature responsible for the disappearance of their animals.
The Hernandez family had been troubled by the mysterious vanishing of several animals from their property, including chickens from their coop and four cats, one of which was pregnant.
“There was a sizable hole in the roof, missing chickens, and feathers scattered everywhere,” recounted Sonia Hernandez.
Hernandez mentioned that her mother-in-law was particularly distressed over the lost cats.
“She was close to having kittens,” Hernandez remarked about one of the missing cats.
Hernandez said her mother-in-law was especially upset about the missing cats.
“She was going to have babies soon,” Hernandez said about one of the cats.
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Believing a coyote was responsible, Hernandez’s father-in-law built a cage trap and set it on the property.
On Thursday night, Hernandez’s husband checked the trap and found a mountain lion calmly lying inside.
“So he woke everybody up, and we got up, and we were all surprised how big it was and how it looked,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said her immediate concern was for her three children, ages 5 to 9.
She said that she and her family breathed a sigh of relief, then wondered what to do next after having a mountain lion in their possession.
Hernandez called 911. On Friday morning, state wildlife officials, including a warden, arrived at the home. The cougar was released from the trap and ran off.
The decision to release the animal surprised and frustrated the family, who had expected it would be relocated far from their rural neighborhood.
“We weren’t really happy about that because of our children and animals,” Hernandez said.
Some neighbors shared those concerns.
Jeanette Villegas, who owns horses on her property, said she worries the mountain lion could return.
“Releasing that animal knowing it has a food source, I believe it may come back,” Villegas said. “And I walk the property in the evening to check on my animals, and who knows if it’s watching me. It could be lurking behind a building, a bush, anything.”
Hernandez said she understands that wildlife officials must follow protocol, even if she disagrees with the outcome.
“The way they explained it to us, hopefully he doesn’t, but we do have that fear it will come back,” she said.
According to wildlife officials, state law requires that any mountain lion that is privately trapped must be released in the same general area where it was captured.