For the fifth time in three weeks, local law enforcement officers were called to a possible mountain lion sighting.
Just before 11 a.m. Friday, San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies responded to State Route 52 and Mast Boulevard. Apparently a local television station told deputies they had received a viewer phone call concerning the sighting.
Fish and Game wardens and Astrea helicopter checked the area but did not find the animal. Astrea broadcast warnings to hikers in the area as a precaution.
West Hills HS administrators were told of the potential sighting and advised by deputies to keep students in class. The school returned to normal once deputies reported the sighting was unfounded.
On Thursday, San Diego police received a call about a medium-sized mountain lion being hit by a car and on the side of the road in Poway. They responded but never found a mountain lion - dead or alive.
It was in 4S Ranch on Monday when deputies were called to Winecreek Road near the Boys and Girls Club. A witness told deputies the mountain lion walked across the center’s lawn and into a nearby canyon where people frequently jog.
Helicopters blasted a warning to residents and two schools were put on lockdown but no mountain lion was found.
Local
A potential mountain lion sighting in Escondido was reported to Escondido police on Nov. 29. A campus supervisor at the Classical Academy charter school on Bear Valley Parkway spotted the animal while driving to work.
On Nov. 17, there was a mountain lion warning issued at Cal State University San Marcos. Campus officials said a mountain lion was spotted near a south campus parking lot. Campus police said they did see the mountain lion but it was retreating back into the mountainside.
A school official said they’ve had sightings four times over the last five years.
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