Mountain lion struck by car paws sawed off for souvenirs

Cougar Puma or Mountain Lion Attacks Are Likely Discarded Pets

BUELLTON — The paws of a mountain lion have been sawed off as apparent souvenirs after a vehicle struck the cougar on a California central coast highway.

It’s illegal in California possess mountain lion parts.

The California Highway Patrol was called before dawn Tuesday to investigate a deer on U.S. Route 101 three miles south of Buellton in Santa Barbara County.

Instead, the CHP officer found the mutilated cougar.

State Fish and Game Lt. James Solis tells the Santa Barbara News-Press (http://bit.ly/JpJ9fP) that the mountain lion’s front paws were sawed off, adding someone likely plans to make jewelry out of the claws.

http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_20477435/mountain-lion-struck-by-car-paws-sawed-off