Mountain lion bite sends child to hospital, Northern California sheriff says

A mountain lion bit a child near Tunitas in the San Francisco Bay Area, California officials reported.

Emergency crews took the child to a hospital Tuesday, Jan. 31, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said. The attack took place in the 1000 block of Tunitas Creek Road, about nine miles southeast of Half Moon Bay.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is investigating.

The boy was hiking with his family when a mountain lion bit him about 6:50 p.m., Sheriff’s Sgt. Javier Acosta told the Los Angeles Times.

“He suffered some puncture wounds, but he’s going to be okay,” Acosta told the publication.

“Our coastal community has endured so much these past few weeks,” Sheriff Christina Corpus said in a statement. A shooting in Half Moon Bay killed seven people Jan. 23.

“Our entire agency is saddened (by) this news and sends many warm wishes to the child for a speedy and full recovery,” Corpus said. “Our thoughts are with the family at this time.”