Mountain lion kills 2 dogs in daytime backyard attack in Yucaipa

A mountain lion killed two pet dogs in a Yucaipa backyard Saturday afternoon, an unusual daytime attack the homeowner watched unfold in real time through a live surveillance camera feed while traveling out of town.

The midday strike — the second mountain lion incident reported in Southern California in 2026 — is drawing attention from wildlife officials, who say daytime attacks are rare and that the presence of a human significantly reduces the risk of an encounter.

Roger Schultz was out of town with his wife when his home security system sent alerts prompting him to check the feed, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. The footage showed a mountain lion entering the fenced backyard and attacking Winter, his 8-year-old Husky, and Summer, a 2-year-old Anatolian Shepherd. The surveillance video then captured the animal walking away with one of the dogs in its mouth.

"They lived a great life, but it's a product of where we live. We have to respect nature. We have to respect where we live," Schultz said.

Court Klopping, a California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson, said wildlife officials were puzzled by the timing and target. "Normally, mountain lions would be preying on mule deer. They are prevalent in that area, so we're not exactly sure what drove them to the yard to attack these dogs," Klopping said, according to ABC7.

Klopping emphasized that human presence remains a powerful deterrent. "Mountain lions are much less likely to approach if a human is present. In fact, if a human is present, you're more likely to be struck by lightning than attacked by a mountain lion," he said.

Schultz said he plans to build a fortified enclosure before getting new pets and urged neighbors to stay alert. "Head on a swivel; look up, look down, look side to side. Just be aware of your surroundings out here," he said.

Schultz said the attack has not shaken his appreciation for the area but has underscored the need for residents near open land to take wildlife precautions seriously before tragedy strikes.