Aug 6, 2008 8:58 pm US/Pacific
Officials: Man Might Be 'Lion' About Cat Attack
PORTOLA HILLS (AP) ―
Authorities are questioning a homeless man's claim that he had an encounter with a mountain lion in an Orange County park.
Kevin Lassiter, 47, told authorities he spotted a mother cougar and her cubs while walking Wednesday morning through Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Portola Hills.
He said the mother cougar swiped at him with her paw, scratching him, when he tried to pet one of the cubs.
But a wildlife specialist with the Department of Fish and Game says Lassiter's wound is not consistent with an injury from a mountain lion attack.
Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino says if Lassiter is found to have filed a false report, sheriff's officials will look to prosecute him.
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