Predators continue to take toll on the outskirts of cities

Pets are disappearing on the ridges of Sutter Creek, along with barn animals and livestock that have been picked off in broad daylight. Living in the foothills means living with predators, but some neighborhoods claim mountain lions and coyotes have become alarmingly brazen in the past year. "Fifteen cats, one dog and two sheep disappeared just weeks ago," observed Sharolyn Bullock, who lives on Paine Road between Ione and Sutter Creek. "No one would have even realized how large the number was if all the neighbors hadn't got to talking with one another. That's when I started going door to door and put it all together. I think it's a lot of animals to have been grabbed so quickly." One couple who lost a cat in the mass disappearance was Leo and Sally Ott. "Everybody knows when you live up here you live with predators," Leo admitted. "But we've been here 10 years now. I feel like we're seeing three times more activity than we've ever seen before." What troubles Leo are two recent sightings of a large mountain lion near his house. Ranchers in South Jackson have also repeatedly told the Ledger Dispatch in 2009 that the mountain lion problem is getting out of control. "Most of us won't even bother having goats or sheep anymore," said a rancher who wished to remain anonymous. "They just get eaten too quickly now."...Ledger-Dispatch