Rural Rapid City Residents Worried About Lion

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Residents of a canyon area just outside the Rapid City limits are pressing for state wildlife officials to remove a mountain lion they say has killed a deer and dozens of cats.

Linda Eddy says residents are concerned for their safety and that of their children and pets. Eddie says "it's just getting too close for comfort."

Game, Fish and Parks Department Regional Supervisor Mike Kintigh says he understands the concerns but that rules bar the agency from killing the lion. He says if it was attacking pets or livestock or was inside the city limits officials would act immediately.

He also says there might be more than one lion, which wouldn't be unusual for the Black Hills.

Kintigh says officials are monitoring the situation.

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