FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2012
Contact: Robert Almada, Lieutenant
Phone: 310.458.8486
e-mail: richard.lewis@smgov.net
On May 22, 2012, at 5:45 a.m., the Santa Monica Police Department received a report of a large cat, possibly a mountain lion, in the area of 2nd Street and Arizona Avenue. Officers responded to the area to search for the animal. At 6:00 a.m., a maintenance worker at 1227 2nd Street discovered the animal in the building’s courtyard.
Santa Monica police officers responded and were initially able to contain the animal in the courtyard. SMPD officers confirmed the animal was a mountain lion. Santa Monica Animal Control, California Department of Fish & Game, and the Santa Monica Fire Department responded to the scene to assist with the capture of the animal.
Attempts to tranquilize the mountain lion, combined with the use of water hoses and “less than lethal” pepper ball rounds failed to subdue the animal. The mountain lion made several attempts to escape the courtyard and enter the public area. Regrettably, police were forced to use lethal force to prevent that animal from escaping the courtyard and endangering the public.