HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – August 26th, 2022 – This morning, Hollister Police officers and wildlife officers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to the report of an adult mountain lion on the 1400 block of Diablo Dr., in a residential area.
About 4:42 am, a resident on the 1400 block of Diablo Dr. called to report a mountain lion on their front porch. We requested the assistance of Fish and Wildlife, who dispatched two wildlife officers to the scene equipped with tranquilizer medication and an air-powered dart rifle.
Our department issued a shelter-in-place order via reverse 9-1-1 call and social media posting, and evacuated the residence immediately adjacent to the animal. Wildlife officers attempted to deliver two tranquilizer darts into the animal without success. The mountain lion charged from the bush directly towards a police officer stationed in an effort to keep it contained. Fearing for the life and safety of the officer, two officers fired their rifles at the mountain lion. The mountain lion jumped a fence to a neighboring yard and retreated into another bush, where Fish and Wildlife delivered additional tranquilizer medication directly to the animal. After that medication was delivered, the mountain lion was successfully sedated and safely removed from the area.
After examining the animal, it was determined that they had suffered at least one bullet wound to the abdomen. After a teleconference with a State of California veterinarian, it was determined that the animal would be transported to the Oakland Zoo for treatment.
We involved Fish and Wildlife out of care and concern for the animal, and attempting to remove the animal from a residential area safely, but also knew this was a potentially life-threatening situation for our residents. We are enormously grateful for their assistance. Ultimately, however, we could not place the life of the animal above human life, which is why the officers fired their rifles at the scene.
Anyone with information regarding these investigations are requested to contact The Hollister Police Department at 831-636-4331. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
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Prepared by: B. Leland, Sergeant
Approved by: C. Reynoso, Chief of Police
Case #22-2147
