Authorities in California say someone sawed off the paws of a mountain lion as apparent souvenirs after it was struck and killed by a car, according to AP. The California Highway Patrol was called before dawn Tuesday to investigate a report of a deer in Central California's Santa Barbara County. The responding officer also found the mutilated cougar. The patrol says it believes the animal was chasing the deer when it was struck. State Fish and Game Lt. James Solis tells the Santa Barbara News-Press that the mountain lion's front paws were sawed off. He says someone likely plans to make jewelry out of the claws. It is illegal in California to possess mountain lion parts. -- SPA
