Union City residents on alert after mountain lion spotted

UNION CITY, Calif. (KGO) -- Residents in one Union City neighborhood are on alert after a mountain lion was spotted in their area. Police had their guns drawn as they searched for the big cat Saturday afternoon after a group of women spotted it near a playground.

"It was pretty long with a long tail," said Union City resident Gabriel Santos. "And they knew it wasn't a cat or a golden retriever they knew it was a mountain lion."

Santos' wife and some friends spotted the mountain lion around 1:30 p.m., just beyond a fence on a well-traveled trail, walking along Old Alameda Creek.

The women called police immediately.

"I just know they were out here with their rifles," said Union City resident Ken Waller. "I thought they were out here looking for somebody with a pellet gun."

They were looking for the big cat that was at least 3 feet tall. Two cars full of armed officers scoured the creek and neighborhood. But they came up empty.

"There's people walking dogs out here and there's houses right there," Santos said. "So, if they didn't find it, it's out there somewhere."

That's exactly what residents are worried about. This is the first mountain lion sighting on record, west of the freeway. Police are warning people with small animals to stay inside.

"I'm gonna close off my doggie door that I have in the back and make sure when they go outside I'm gonna watch them," said Union City resident Rich Aug.

Another neighbor, Tuan Vuong, is taking things a step further.

"It's dangerous," he said. "I have four boys we were about to play some baseball outside in the yard but now seems like we gotta put the garage down and be more aware now."

He's also standing watch outside of his home to warn joggers, walkers, and other neighbors that there's a mountain lion on the loose.