Mountain lion suspected in animal deaths

HALF MOON BAY, Calif., July 27 (UPI) -- The killing of several sheep and goats in Northern California is being blamed on a mountain lion, authorities said.

Officials from the state Department of Fish and Game examined the remains of the animals found Tuesday just south of Half Moon Bay and said they believe they may have been killed by a mountain lion, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

An alert was posted on San Mateo County's community alert system.

County emergency officials were reminding anyone encountering a mountain lion not to run or approach the animal.

Instead, they said, people should try to look bigger by waving their arms and throw rocks or other objects to drive the animal away.