Why not have local law enforcement work with state Fish and Game officials and train for the proper use of tranquilizer guns? We need an alternative to killing every mountain lion that wanders into a neighborhood bordering big cat habitat, which is pretty much all around us. The danger a mountain lion poses to people is vastly overstated. The creatures number in the thousands, to California's 35 million people. There are hundreds of sightings every year, but there have been only 16 verified attacks on humans since 1890, including six deaths. Mountain lions generally go out of their way to avoid people. Cat sightings will become more common as the protected animals increase in number and development encroaches on habitat. California Fish and Game wardens do deal with wildlife that wanders into yards, but given the state budget,unfortunately we don't have enough wardens. Perhaps the state could train animal-control and police officers, using tranquilizer guns, to help deal with the problem. When wardens are unavailable, there's got to be an alternative to gunfire.
Julia Di Sieno
Executive director
Animal Rescue Team Inc.
Solvang