Search Called Off For Mountain Lion That Killed Fontana Family's Dog

FONTANA (CBSLA.com) — Authorities Thursday called off their search for an aggressive mountain lion that killed a San Bernardino County family's dog.

The search in the Hunter's Ridge neighborhood was called off at 7:30 a.m., according to Fontana police.

"The department committed various resources including officers in the sky and on the ground during an exhaustive 24-hour search that did not produce any sightings of the mountain lion," officials said.

Princess, a 5-year-old German Shepard, was killed early Wednesday morning in the 4100 block of Foxborough Drive.

The big cat showed aggressive behavior toward the dog's owner and responding officers at the scene before shots were fired, prompting it to retreat.

"We believe the contact our officers had with the mountain lion on March 5, 2014, scared it back into the canyon," Chief of Police Rodney Jones said. "We will continue to patrol the area routinely to ensure public safety."

Police urged residents to be cautious of their surroundings and reminded them that mountain lions are most active from dusk to dawn.

Domesticated animals should also be kept inside, officials added.

RELATED: Mountain Lion Kills Fontana Family's Beloved German Shepherd