June 4, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

NPS Confirms Mountain Lion That Killed Chihuahua in Hollywood Hills Was P-22

Mountain lion will not be euthanized, NPS says

By Sam Catanzaro

During the evening of November 9, a large animal attacked a small dog while it was being walked on a leash near the Hollywood Reservoir. The National Park Service has confirmed that mountain lion P-22 was the animal responsible for the attack. The agency has announced it will not be euthanizing P-22, saying its behavior was “not atypical” during this incident, the first of its kind in the Los Angeles area. 

“Based on video footage and GPS tracking collar data, we can confirm P-22 was the animal responsible for the attack.
We understand an incident like this is upsetting and can possibly heighten people’s concern for the safety of their pets and themselves. We also want to express our sympathies to the dog owner,” the NPS said. “In terms of this incident, there is no evidence that preying on pets is related to an increased chance of an attack on a person, either in mountain lions, or in other urban carnivores such as coyotes. Mountain lion attacks on humans are exceedingly rare, although they do occur.”

Officials say the dog was on a standard leash walking a few feet behind the person when P-22 attacked the dog. In an interview with KTLA, a dog walker was walking the deceased dog, Piper, a Chihuahua mix. In addition, the unnamed dog walker had with him another small dog. 

“I felt the tug and I heard Piper squeal,” the man told KTLA. “I turn around and I just saw a face. I didn’t know what it was.”

“It was like a two- or three-second struggle,” the man continued. “He had Piper in his mouth. He didn’t growl at all. I didn’t even hear him. I never had a chance.”

The dog’s owner, Daniel Jimenez told KTLA he was out celebrating his daughter’s birthday the night Piper was killed. He was informed by a text from the dogwalker saying “the mountain lion attacked and took away your dog. Killed your dog.” 

Jimenez does not blame the mountain lion for the incident, telling KTLA that P-22 was just doing what animals do: hunt for food. 

“I don’t want anything bad to happen to P-22,” Jimenez said. . “I just want people to be safe out there so that nothing like this happens again.”

According to the NPS, this is the first incident of a mountain lion attacking a pet in the Los Angeles area. 

“While we do not know of any previous incidents involving a mountain lion attacking a pet on a leash in the LA area, we have heard of two other mountain lion studies (one in CO and one in southern CA) that have each documented one such incident. There are also several factors that indicate P-22’s behavior was not atypical during this incident,” the NPS said.  “We know of mountain lions hunting domestic dogs and other pets in the past that were off leash, lost, or wandering. This has also been documented in other studies of mountain lions adjacent to urban and suburban areas in Colorado, Washington, and south of Los Angeles.”

According to the NPS, mountain lions are typically more active between dusk and dawn, in full darkness, an hour and a half after sunset. In addition, the NPS noted that although deer are generally their most important prey, mountain lions are opportunistic hunters and will hunt a variety of animals when the chance arises.

“P-22 is still successfully hunting typical prey animals (deer, coyotes, etc.) and continues to use his entire home range in Griffith Park. We know that he killed a large buck in the park just a couple of weeks before this incident,” the NPS said. 

The agency noted that mountain lions largely avoid urban areas and are fearful of humans, but they sometimes travel through residential areas near their preferred habitat.

“P-22 did not attack the dog walker or show any aggressive behaviors toward him,” the NPS said. 

The NPS provided some safety tips on walking pets in nature. 

“When outdoors, be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Walk pets on standard-length leashes, especially between dusk and dawn when predators are most active. If you do encounter a mountain lion while walking with a pet, keep pets close, make yourself as large as possible, make noise, and do not run,” the NPS said. 

In the wake of the incident, a virtual event was held to learn about safely coexisting with mountain lions and other wildlife. The webinar can be watched by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gBj3tLTixE

in News
<>Related Posts

Venice Beach Tapped to Host Paralympic Events in 2028 Games

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

The coastal neighborhood, already set to host triathlon, marathon, and road cycling starts for the 2028 Olympics, will showcase Paralympic...

(Video) Some of the Damage Caused By Vandals at Malibu High School Overnight

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

40 to 50 people, who are suspected to be students or recent alumni, used eggs, flour, and markers to deface...

Biggest Night of the Year: Don’t Miss GMCLA’s ‘Dancing Queens’

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Culminating its 46th season, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will grace the crowd with Dancing Queens, celebrating iconic...

Khatri International: Consider Rebuilding With Fire Resistant Construction Methods

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

What do office buildings, hospitals, schools, fire and police stations have in common? They are built with noncombustible construction methods...

Orchestra Santa Monica Extends Music Director’s Tenure Through 2030

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Under his leadership, the orchestra has delivered a series of sold-out concerts, earning praise for his conducting skills Orchestra Santa...

Malibu High Targeted in Overnight Vandalism Spree; Investigation Underway

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Destruction on Campus Prompts Sheriff’s Probe; Students Will Face Charges Vandals caused extensive damage to the school property of Malibu...

Project Aims to Preserve Palisades Fire Chimneys as Memorial

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

The proposed Palisades Fire Memorial, to be located on public land, will feature free-standing fireplaces and chimneys as a tribute...

Update: FireAid Fund Distributes $21M to Palisades and Adjacent Areas

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

The Pacific Palisades Community Council plans to briefly address this update at its next board meeting  The Pacific Palisades Community...

2025 Venice Pride to Feature a Block Party, Dance Event, Food Trucks, and More This Weekend

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Attendees can expect performances by DJ Victor Rodriguez & Friends, a variety of community booths, food trucks, and a queer...

A Season of Gratitude: After One Year in Business, Urban Jungle Continues Making its Mark

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Over the last year, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, has continued its mission to cultivate a place...

The soul’s greatest hits

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

From ‘Ave Maria’ to ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ and ‘Ode to Joy,” a Santa Monica concert raising funds to help fire victims...

Design Options Emerge for Santa Monica Airport Conversion into Public Park

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Community feedback, gathered through over 4,984 survey responses, shows a strong preference for pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly designs, integrated water systems,...

Lane Closures Return to PCH in Malibu for Fire Recovery and Emergency Repairs

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Traffic Will Be Impacted as Caltrans and the USACE Conduct Cleanup  The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced updated...

Palisades Council Demands Accounting of FireAid Concert Funds

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

The FireAid concert, held on January 30, at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum, raised an estimated $100 million, with...

Historic Venice Building Envisioned by Abbot Kinney Hits Market for $2.29M

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Kinney envisioned the building as part of an institutional foundation to rival Renaissance Italy, focusing on education and culture A...