Unverified Mountain Lion Sighting Prompts School 'Secure Mode'

Reports of a mountain lion sighting near Friday morning prompted putting the school into "secure mode," while the investigated and found no sign of the animal.

CBS 8 received the original reports of the mountain lion and sent a helicopter to the area to look for it, but found nothing. The information was then passed on to the Santee Sheriff's Dept. at 10:44 a.m.

West Hills School Resource Officer Janine Alioto asked the principal to put the school into "secure mode" while deputies and state Fish and Game officers searched for the animal by air and on foot.

"Secure mode means all students are restricted to their classrooms," Santee Sheriff's Captain Ed Musgrove said. "Unlike a total lock down, the normal course of instruction continues so there is minimal disruption to the student's learning environment."

The Sheriff's Dept. investigation turned up no sign of the animal, could not verify the sighting and the school was returned to normal.

The Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter also made announcements to warn hikers in the area.

This unverified sighting report comes on the heels of , one supposedly hit by a car, in North County San Diego this week. Authorities found no such wild animals in those areas, either.