Mountain lion that killed Boulder dog is relocated

The latest: Wildlife officers from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, along with Boulder police and open space rangers, were able to find and tranquilize the mountain lion Friday.

• The cougar was tagged and will be released in an undisclosed location.

Catch up quick: Wildlife officials initially indicated they would not move the animal, because it hadn't displayed unusual aggression toward humans.

• But when the cougar, an older female, made no effort to return to the foothills, officials decided to relocate it to reduce the risk of a human encounter, Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Kara Van Hoose told Axios Boulder.
• "It was on the east side of town and not really showing signs of moving towards better habitat," Van Hoose said.

Flashback: Taulere and Arrone Appel were walking their 10-pound Cavachon dog, Bodhi, on July 25 near their home on Balsam Drive when the mountain lion attacked.

• The couple told the Daily Camera that the dog, which was on a leash, was dead in seconds.

• Wildlife officers were able to recover the dog's body but could not immediately find the cougar.

Threat level: Van Hoose said there were no other reported incidents involving this mountain lion.

• Van Hoose said it is not uncommon for younger or weaker mountain lions to attack smaller pets, though attacking a leashed animal is a bit more unusual.
• "It wasn't afraid of us," Taulere Appel told the Daily Camera. "But we're afraid of it now."

What's next: Mountain lions can be territorial, so wildlife officials hope this animal's new habitat will be far enough away to deter it from returning.