Mountain Lion Killed near Belle Fourche

Game, Fish and Parks officers killed a mountain lion that was treed by a dog east of Belle Fourche. via KSFY

[great]

Treed by a dog mountain lion is not a danger, but these people just like to shoot to kill anything with a pulse.

[Katie]

I understand the value of people, property, and even pregnant sheep, but it is obvious that somebody doesn't understand either the beauty or the value of a mountain lion. The poor thing could have/should have been tranquilized and moved.

[Zac]

These people understand completely the beauty of nature, but they aren't only protecting their property, but their family and loved ones, i used to live in south dakota and it gets real annoying when people think we are mindless hicks who'll shoot for the thrill, we value the lives of things in nature, but anyone in the end should choose a human life, when faced with the situation, I'm sure tou would choose the same.

[Zac]

I really think if your, or your family's life were in danger, you wouldn't give a second thought about killing it to save your skin, and please, be realistic, how many tranqilizer darts do you have sitting around? I dont hate mountain lions, what I hate is people who think they're harmless and defenseless, they are dangerous, people have to remember this, nature MUST be preserved, but at the cost of human life? In this situation animal control should have been called and the situation should have been closely monitered until they arrived, but you have to remember, What if you were in that situation? Katie, obviously you don't understand the value of people, thats just a terrible thing to say, that you think that people should die, or risk being attacked, just so that this animal should live and your concious be cleared. like I said, this situation may not have been handled properly, but think about what your saying.
and another thing, I find that extremely offensive when people base their opinions on propoganda and rumors about people like me or people from south dakota, because if that's what you think about us, you obviously don't know us, I'm not saying people like that don't exist, but this is not an example of a person like that.

[Mojoe]

Zac wrote:

These people understand completely the beauty of nature, but they aren't only protecting their property, but their family and loved ones, i used to live in south dakota and it gets real annoying when people think we are mindless hicks who'll shoot for the thrill, we value the lives of things in nature, but anyone in the end should choose a human life, when faced with the situation, I'm sure tou would choose the same.

Well said Zac. I live in Black Hawk, and am well aware of the increasing mountain lion population. So many people think mountain lions are just big kittens like somthing from a Disney movie, but that is a long way from reality. When populations increase, the competition for food and territory increases, and younger cats are pushed out into close proximity to people and communities. It is a sad reality. Mountain lions must be managed like any other wild animal.