Mountain lion slips into California home through open door, eyes resident before slipping back outside
A mountain lion wandered into a California home in La Verne on a Saturday afternoon, strolling through an open front door and briefly locking eyes with the man inside before making a quick exit through the back.
Jeff Tenney was in the kitchen when the big cat entered, and he described the moment he realized what he was seeing. “Out of the corner of my eye, I hear and see and feel the large presence,” he said. “We locked eyes for a moment, and I knew it was a lion.” The animal then charged through the open door, through the screen, into the back yard, and into the pool area before it jumped over a fence and vanished.
Tenney said he wasn’t scared, focusing instead on his 13-year-old dog, Bandit, who slept through the entire incident in the front yard after Tenney had left the door open to let the pet come and go. Bandit remained undisturbed as the mountain lion passed by, and the only physical damage from the encounter was a pool float popped during the escape.
According to Tenney, the mountain lion approached from the driveway and didn’t encounter the dog, though they came within close proximity. With nearby children’s parties underway, Tenney shared Ring camera footage to alert neighbors and warn the community to be vigilant.
Residents are reminded to secure pets, supervise children outdoors, and contact local wildlife authorities if a sighting occurs. While encounters in La Verne are not common, keeping doors closed, backing away slowly if you encounter a big cat, and giving wildlife space can help reduce risks.
This incident highlights the ongoing balance between urban life and California’s native wildlife, underscoring the importance of calm, careful responses and community awareness when a wild animal wanders into residential areas.
Summary: A mountain lion entered a La Verne home through an open front door, briefly faced the resident, and escaped back outside without injuries, leaving neighbors urged to stay vigilant and report sightings. A hopeful note is that the encounter ended safely with no harm to people or pets.