Boy survives mountain lion attack in rural San Mateo County

A boy is recovering after being attacked by a mountain lion in rural San Mateo County Tuesday night.

A spokesman for the San Mateo County Sheriff said the department received an emergency call at 6:50 p.m. from a hiking area about nine miles southeast of Half Moon Bay.

When MPs arrived, the child had been taken to a nearby hospital by unknown persons. His age was not published.

“He sustained some stab wounds,” Sheriff’s Sgt. Javier Acosta said, “But he’ll be fine.”

Acosta gave no further details about the boy’s wounds. He noted that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife would handle the investigation.

Acosta said it was believed the boy was hiking with his family and “was a little ahead of the group” when he was attacked.

“Our entire agency is saddened by this news and sends many heartfelt wishes to the child for a speedy and full recovery,” San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the family these days.”

Acosta, a 20-year veteran, said he couldn’t remember a previous incident involving mountain lions in the area.

“Mountain lions are fighting, but this is the first report of an attack I can recall,” he said.