Overview

• On May 25 around 10 p.m., a mountain lion attacked a dog being walked in the Verrado neighborhood of Buckeye, about 30 miles west of Phoenix.
• After kicking the animal off his pet, the resident retreated toward home but fatally shot the lion when it approached again.
• The Arizona Game and Fish Department recovered the mountain lion’s body and closed its inquiry without filing any citations.
• Authorities confirmed the dog suffered only minor injuries and recovered quickly from the encounter.
• The University of Arizona estimates there are 2,500 to 3,000 mountain lions in the state and advises people to face lions, back away slowly and appear larger during encounters.