SONORA, Calif. (AP) — Officials say a state Department of Fish and Wildlife warden killed a mountain lion in a residential back yard after he determined the animal to be sick and suffering.

The Modesto Bee reports responding officers found the cat in the yard of a home and called Fish and Wildlife to the scene.

After observing the animal for about 30 minutes, the warden used a bean bag gun to try to haze the lion out of the residential area and back into nearby open space. But the big cat did not move when struck.

Fish and Game information officer Kyle Orr says the warden determined the lion was sick and in distress and decided to euthanize it.

Orr says a decision has not yet been made on whether to conduct a necropsy.

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Information from: The Modesto Bee, http://www.modbee.com