Lafayette police believe that a bulldog attacked in the backyard of a home on Beacon Hill Drive this week was killed by a mountain lion, according to a news release.

The dog, a 40-to-50 pound bulldog, was found Tuesday mauled in a backyard in the 100 block of Beacon Hill Drive near 111th Avenue between Baseline and Arapahoe roads.

In a release issued today, Lafayette police said that through “investigation and citizen input,” police believe a mountain lion is responsible.

Police said people reported hearing what sounded like a mountain lion near Arapahoe Ridge on Friday in Erie along 111th Avenue, and that the wounds are consistent with a mountain lion.

There have been no other reports of human conflicts with wildlife in the area. Large predator sightings should be reported to Boulder County dispatch at 303-441-4444.

Mitchell Byars: 303-473-1329, byarsm@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/mitchellbyars.