At about 4:30 this morning, Miki Couchoud spotted a mountain lion near Red Man Lane in Elgin while commuting to work.
A bit later, at 6:45am, Elgin resident Kathy Gehlert opened her garage door and the lion ran out into her fenced yard, pursued by her dog Pickles.
After several tries, the cat was able to leap over the fence. Pickles was unharmed.
Gehlert lives approximately two miles east of SR83 on the north side of Elgin Road.
Gehlert’s neighbor George Whitmill saw the mountain lion leaving Gehlert’s house and heading north. Arizona Game and Fish (AZGFD) has been notified.
The AZGFD says: “All mountain lion encounters and attacks, sightings in urban areas, property damage due to mountain lions or possession of a live mountain lion should also be reported to Arizona Game and Fish Department Dispatch 623 236-7201. Dispatcher is available for your call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
More information: https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife-conservation/living-with-wildlife/living-with-mountain-lions/