A necropsy has determined that numerous farm animals found dead in Alpine on Feb. 19 were likely killed by a mountain lion and not by a person, the sheriff’s department said Friday.
Deputies were called from the Alpine sheriff’s substation on Feb. 19 by a rancher who disÂcovered 10 farm animals were slain in a pen on the property in the 400 block of Peutz Valley Road.
The sheriff’s department informed the public in a press release about an animal cruelty investigation that was to deterÂmine how lambs, goats, and a ram were killed. A $1,000 reward was offered by Crime Stoppers.
A county veterinarian who performed necropsies deterÂmined they were likely killed by a mountain lion or some other large predator animal, said SherÂiff’s Lt. Anthony O’Boyle.
There were other animals in another area on the ranch that were not harmed.
There have been no mountain lion sightings in the area, but the sheriff’s department urged resiÂdents to be aware of their surÂroundings out of an abundance of caution.
People with pets should make sure they remain indoors, espeÂcially at night. If you own liveÂstock, make sure the pens are secure.
