Mountain Lion Trapped in SoCal Family's Backyard After Raiding Henhouse

Wildlife officials released the wild animal back into the same area, concerning neighbors about safety.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A Southern California family was shocked to find a mountain lion trapped in their backyard after setting up a homemade trap to catch who was stealing their chickens. The family called 911, and wildlife officials arrived the next day to release the mountain lion back into the wild in the same area, despite concerns from the family and neighbors about the animal's potential return.

Why it matters

Mountain lion sightings and encounters are becoming more common in suburban and residential areas of California as development encroaches on their natural habitats. This incident highlights the challenges families face in protecting their pets and livestock from predatory wildlife, as well as the difficult decisions wildlife officials must make in balancing public safety with the preservation of wild animal populations.

The details

The Hernandez family in Fallbrook, San Diego County, noticed several of their chickens and cats had gone missing from their backyard. Suspecting a coyote, the family's father-in-law built a homemade trap to catch the culprit. To their surprise, they found a mountain lion inside the trap when they checked it. Fearing for their children's safety, the family called 911, and wildlife officials arrived the next day to release the mountain lion back into the wild in the same area, as required by California law.

  • The Hernandez family noticed their chickens and cats going missing from their backyard in Fallbrook, San Diego County.
  • The family's father-in-law built a homemade trap to catch the suspected coyote.
  • The family was shocked to find a mountain lion trapped in their backyard.

The players

Hernandez family

A Southern California family living in Fallbrook, San Diego County, who set up a trap to catch what they thought was a coyote stealing their chickens and cats.

Sonia Hernandez

A member of the Hernandez family who expressed concern about the safety of her children and animals after the mountain lion was released back into the same area.

Jeanette Villegas

A neighbor of the Hernandez family who owns horses and is also concerned about the mountain lion being released back into the area, as it may return and pose a threat to her animals.

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What they’re saying

“There was a big hole on the rooftop and there were chickens missing and there were feathers all over the place.”

— Sonia Hernandez (FOX 5 San Diego)

“Releasing that animal knowing it has a food source, I believe it may come back. And I walk the property in the evening to check on my animals, and who knows if it's watching me. It could be lurking behind a building, a bush, anything.”

— Jeanette Villegas, Neighbor (FOX 5 San Diego)

What’s next

The family and neighbors are concerned that the mountain lion may return to the area, as it was released back into the same location where it was trapped. They hope wildlife officials will consider relocating the animal to a more remote area to ensure the safety of the local community.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing challenges faced by suburban and residential communities in California as they navigate coexisting with wildlife like mountain lions. It underscores the need for proactive measures to protect both people and animals, as well as the difficult decisions wildlife officials must make in balancing conservation efforts with public safety concerns.