Five mountain lions are regularly visiting a rural Lassen County neighborhood, walking within feet of front doors and ignoring every attempt to scare them off, according to the Lassen County Sheriff. The sheriff just declared them an imminent threat to public safety.
Lassen County Sheriff John McGarva issued the declaration on May 13 after reviewing video footage showing up to five lions crossing a resident’s property in the Gold Run area near Amesbury Drive and Hill Creek Road. The cats were walking within feet of the home’s entrance and under the deck.
Residents in the area have been reporting lion activity since the summer of 2025. One resident found a lion under his deck. Another discovered a deer kill roughly 20 yards from his fence line. Tracks and trails were found circling homes, and trail cameras across the neighborhood have been capturing the animals regularly.
The bigger concern is that traditional methods of keeping lions away are no longer effective. Yelling, making loud noises and chasing the animals have all stopped producing results. The lions are habituated to human presence and are not retreating the way they used to.
The area is rural with large acreage properties home to families with small children, grandchildren and small pets. The sheriff noted that during a visit to the neighborhood, he saw juveniles and adults walking small animals through the area where the lions have been active.
A creek running through the neighborhood connects the Gold Run and Hill Creek Road properties and appears to be a travel corridor for the cats.
The sheriff’s office is working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop a response. Anyone who has encountered mountain lions in the area is encouraged to call the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office at 530-257-6121.