Landowner kills mountain lion in Santa Monica Mountains, 1st under California depredation law

A mountain lion in the Santa Monica Mountains was shot and killed by a property owner, the first under a California law that allows the large cats to be killed if it harms pets or livestock.

P-56, a collared 4 to 5-year-old male mountain lion, was killed last month after the property owner lost 12 animals in two years. The landowner received a permit to do so under the California Department of Fish & Wildlife's depredation law.

Simi Valley residents on high alert after mountain lion reportedly attacks 1 dog, kills another

Police warned Simi Valley residents Thursday to keep their pets indoors after several reports of a mountain lion that is suspected of attacking two dogs, including one that was killed.

Mountain lion hunting has been banned in California since 1990, designated as a "specially protected mammal." However, the depredation law is the exception, though property owners must first use non-lethal means to fend off attacks before a permit is issued.

Officials say the landowner used several methods, including trained guard dogs, hot wire fencing and motion activated lights, among other measures, to deter the mountain lion to no avail.

The National Park Service had been tracking P-56, who is believed to be the father of at least four other mountain lions, for about three years.

Simi Valley man accused of fatally shooting protected mountain lion in the head

A Simi Valley man is facing criminal charges for allegedly fatally shooting a protected mountain lion in the head, officials said.