Mountain lion euthanized after attacking 3-year-old boy at California park, officials say

Officials have euthanized a mountain lion that attacked a toddler on a trail at a California park, Orange County officials said.

#OCSDPIO @OCSheriff received a call at approx 4:20 pm to assist @OCFA_PIO after a reported mountain lion attack in Whiting Ranch. The victim, a 3-year old boy, received minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The mountain lion was located in a nearby tree. https://t.co/f6OQJ1YGnH pic.twitter.com/rn4xlq7ZwQ
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSheriff) January 21, 2020

According to CNN and the Desert Sun, the attack happened after 4 p.m. local time Monday as a family visited Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park.

"The mountain lion came out of somewhere and grabbed the 3-year-old by the neck and dragged him a short distance," Capt. Tony Bommarito of the Orange County Fire Authority told the Desert Sun.

The child’s father then sprang into action, hurling a backpack at the mountain lion, Bommarito said. The animal set the boy free and went for the backpack before climbing a tree, the outlets reported.

After the family fled to safety, the boy was treated at a hospital, authorities said. Orange County deputies said the boy is "OK," the Desert Sun reported.

Officials euthanized the cougar with permission from the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, the outlets reported.