I may be wrong, but it seems like most of the dog attacks are from dogs who were left outside. Yes, I saw the comments about someone who forgot their doggie door wasn't secured, so that was a tragic mistake. These mountain lions can easily jump fences. Dogs and cats that are left out unattended, are at a higher risk. Especially at night.
So its just a matter of how much risk you are willing to accept.
Personally, I never, ever leave my dog outside unattended. Yes, my dog has a fenced in area to go to the bathroom, but I'm there to watch. Other than that, my dog stays inside, or on the 2nd floor deck, when I'm around. If you want to reduce the risk to almost zero, then I think that's the only way.
There is only one way i would even consider leaving my dog outside unattended... and that is if the dog was in a completely enclosed dog run. This means enclosed sides and roof, so there is zero way for a mountain lion to reach the dog by climbing or digging under the bottom of the sides. Not a chicken wire contraption either... but something strong enough and completely enclosed to prevent the mountain lion from getting to my dog.
I understand the desire to let them out when you're gone to work. While mountain lion attacks are probably more common at night (dawn or dusk), there certainly is a possibility of an attack during daylight hours, too. Would you consider a good enclosed dog run, to protect your dog?
