GILROY -- A mountain lion found in a backyard in Gilroy Sunday morning was only about 6 months old and will likely be released back into the wild, Gilroy police Sgt. Wes Stanford said.

Police received a call reporting the 30-pound cat at about 8:48 a.m. in the backyard of 8893 Carnation Lane, police reported.

The home is in a residential neighborhood, but not too far from an open space area, Stanford said.

A woman who lived in the house had put her puppy out in the backyard, but went to check on it when it wouldn't stop barking, Stanford said. When the woman reached down to pick up the dog, she saw the young cougar sitting on the fence.

It had been eating the dog food left out in the yard, Stanford said.

The woman went inside and called the president of the homeowner's association, who in turn called police, Stanford said.

Police secured the area, but since the animal didn't appear to be an immediate threat, officers had time to secure the area and wait for the city's animal control officer to arrive with tranquilizer darts.

The mountain lion was successfully tranquilized, placed into a large cage and turned over to California Department of Fish and Game wardens.

According to Stanford, the wardens said the animal would be evaluated and, if found to be healthy, it would likely be released back into the wild in a less populated area.