A neglected French bulldog was rescued near California’s Sacramento airport after someone reported what they believed was a young mountain lion in a watery drainage ditch.
Ben Nuckolls, with the rescue organization California Wildlife Encounters, told local outlet KCRA that he received the call on Saturday, Dec. 13. The description — a small, apparently motionless animal with pointed ears and a muscular body — sounded consistent with a juvenile mountain lion. But when Nuckolls arrived, he found a very different scene: a shivering French bulldog left in the ditch.
Nuckolls told KCRA the dog was initially unresponsive. He wrapped the pup in a white-and-blue blanket to help warm it, then took it to a local veterinarian for an exam and to check for a microchip. The vet found no microchip, leaving the dog’s owner unknown.
After the visit, the French bulldog was taken to Bradshaw Animal Shelter for the required stray hold, according to KCRA. The dog is estimated to be about 6 months old and weighs roughly 18 pounds.
Shelter staff told KCRA they believe the puppy may have been abandoned because it didn’t meet breed standards — something that could lower the dog’s perceived value. While the pup is currently receiving care at the shelter, the facility told the outlet it will be transferred to another rescue organization with more specialized experience and resources for French bulldogs.
Even though the call turned out to be about a dog, wildlife officials say it’s still wise to stay alert in the area. According to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, mountain lions are common around the Sacramento River and “can be found anywhere there are deer.”
The refuge also advises people to be especially cautious at dawn, dusk, and at night, when mountain lions are most active. If a mountain lion approaches, don’t run or crouch. Instead, make yourself appear larger and be prepared to fight back — responses that can deter an animal looking for prey.
