Mountain lion kills pet dog in Los Angeles suburb: Gigi was an 'amazing little girl'

A mountain lion has attacked and killed a "precious" pitbull named Gigi in a Los Angeles suburb.

Rey Constante, a resident of the northern Los Angels suburb of Sylmar, said in a post on Facebook that she witnessed the mountain lion kill the leashed pitbull, though the dog's owners weren't in sight. Pictures she posted show the lion hovering over the dog in the dark of night.

"This mountain lion is at least 200 lbs and is still roaming the neighborhood, be on guard and do not walk your pets," Constante warned fellow residents in the post Sunday. "The mountain lion is still roaming around untagged waiting for its next victim, be on guard."

The California Department of Fish & Wildlife did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for a comment on the attack and it is not immediately clear if the mountain lion has been tracked or tagged.

Pitbull Gigi was out on a walk when she was attacked

Mark Rulon, owner and founder of non-profit Southern California Pit Bull Rescue, said in a post Sunday that he was the foster parent to the pitbull, named Gigi, before she was adopted.

He said he learned about Gigi's death when the woman who witnessed called him, saying she had honked and tried to run over the mountain lion, which stopped the attack. When the woman checked on Gigi, she found her dog tag with Rulon's name and contact still on it.

Gigi did not have any "obvious signs of trauma," Rulon said, adding that "it appears the mountain lion may have snapped her neck killing her instantly."

He said Gigi's adoptive owner said that he had been out on a walk with Gigi when the mountain lion attacked, and that he tried to kick the big cat but ended up running for help.

"The father's story ... I find unconvincing," Rulon wrote. "The mobile home community they reside in has a small park, which suggests that Gigi was allowed to roam freely when the attack occurred. I fail to comprehend the reason behind walking a pet late at night.

"As humans, it is our responsibility to safeguard our loved ones, and Gigi was failed in this regard.," Rulon wrote. "She was an exceptionally sweet dog, always eager to shower everyone with kisses. She deserved a better fate."

Gigi's loss leaves family devastated

Describing Gigi as "one of the sweetest dogs we've ever rescued," Rulon said he brought Gigi home after the attack and has paid to have her cremated.

Gigi was rescued as a stray and was at the Bakersfield Animal Shelter when Rulon said he fostered her.

"My family is devastated by her loss," Rulon said. "I wish I had been there to protect her. I hold no ill will towards this mountain lion. It’s just trying to survive."

In another post he said that "Gigi was such an amazing little girl that just loved to lick anyone that was within reach of her tongue."

"Her loss hits extremely hard," he said.

Further details on Gigi, including her age, were not immediately available and Rulon did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for a comment on the incident.

What to do if you encounter a mountain lion

Also called cougars, pumas, panthers and catamounts, mountain lions are usually quiet and elusive and are typically sighted around dawn or dusk, according to National Park Service. Lions are unpredictable and can be dangerous.

NPS recommends keeping in mind the following safety tips if you encounter a lion:

• Do not approach a lion.
• Do not run from a lion because running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact.
• If you have small children with you, pick them up if possible so that they don't panic and run.
• Do not crouch down or bend over. A human standing up is just not the right shape for a lion's prey.
• Try to appear larger by raising your arms, opening your jacket etc. Wave your arms and speak firmly in a loud voice.
• Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice.
• Fight back if attacked.
• Report all sightings to a park ranger.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.