A 7-year-old victim of a mountain lion attack at Stevenson Ranch was treated for possible exposure to rabies

A new sign has been installed at Pico Canyon Park at Stevenson Ranch on Wednesday to inform people that the park will be closed until further notice for the following reasons: Monday mountain lion attack on 7-year-old boy.

The victim, young Knightley Quintos, returned to the hospital on Wednesday and was being treated for possible rabies.

Authorities said a 7-year-old boy was attacked by an “aggressive mountain lion” while visiting a 21-acre park with his father.

It was just after sunset on Monday when a big cat attacked him.

“Bite his buttocks. The father wasn’t far behind. He heard his son screaming and ran to help,” said Capt. Patrick Foy, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. told KTLA.

After the cougar let go of Quintos and fled into the bush, the father of the 7-year-old called 911 and rushed his son to the hospital.

California Fish and Wildlife is leading the investigation into incidents and attacks of this nature involving mountain lions, bears and coyotes.

Authorities will collect DNA samples from the victims’ injuries and later compare them to samples from captured animals.

KTLA learned that the first part of its analysis, a sample taken from Quintos’ pants, confirmed that he had been bitten by a mountain lion.

Meanwhile, wildlife officers have descended on the area looking for aggressive cougars, but have so far remained elusive.

“We put the deer in a trap and lured the lion into the trap to try and feed the deer. The door closed behind the lion and we got a live lion who caught himself.” said Foy.

Quintos’ father said he didn’t notice the large cat’s tracking collar.

At a nearby elementary school, parents are on high alert after being notified of the incident by the Newhall school district.

Attacks by mountain lions are rare, but the animal has killed three people in California in the last 40 years.

Mountain lions typically pose little threat to humans and generally avoid human contact, according to wildlife experts.

If you come across it, we offer the following tips:

• Do not hike, cycle or jog alone. Avoid dawn, dusk and night.
• Watch out for trails.
• Be very careful with small children and unleashed pets.
• Never approach a puma. give them a way out.
• If you see a puma, don’t run away.
• Keep calm and don’t turn your back.
• Face the animal and make loud noises to make it look bigger.
• Do not squat or bend over.
• Anyone spotting a mountain lion is asked to call 911 immediately.