Rod Brush: Get facts straight on deaths from mountain lion attacks

Regarding the letter concerning mountain lion attacks (“Where is sympathy for lions’ victims?” Nov. 17), the writer states there were no human deaths from mountain lion attacks in California from the years 1891 to 1990, before the passage of Prop 117.

In fact, according to Wikipedia, California had six deaths by mountain lion attack before 1990. One in 1890, one in 1901 and four in 1909, though two of those were caused by rabies from the mountain lion attack and not the injuries. I just wanted to point out that the only deaths by mountain lion attack in California were not caused by the passage of Prop 117.

We all sympathize with those who lost their lives, but we need to learn to co-exist with the wildlife that are part of our great state. The Mountain Lion Foundation actually helps provide lion-proof enclosures for those with farm animals who are subject to lion attack. Lions can be legally killed if they pose a threat to humans or livestock. Mountain lions are beautiful animals who need to have some degree of protection, and before the passage of Prop 117 were on the verge of disappearing.

This story was originally published November 20, 2017 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Rod Brush: Get facts straight on deaths from mountain lion attacks."