A Buckeye man who killed a mountain lion that attacked him and his dog would not face legal consequences because he acted in self-defense, state wildlife officials said.

The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on May 25 in the Verrado community at the southeast corner of the White Tank Mountains. The man was walking his dog when the mountain lion attacked, and he was able to kick the animal off his dog. When the mountain lion attempted to approach him again, the man shot and killed it.

The incident followed an uptick of sightings in the area, which is a mountain lion habitat, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

What is the law when it comes to mountain lions?

"The shooting was in self-defense, so no citations were issued," Game and Fish spokesperson Michael Colaianni wrot

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