Yes, I know that humans are encroaching on too much wild habitat, but with the population over 6.5 billion and rising, that is not likely to change. Anyone care to volunteer to reduce the population explosion by one?? I don't think so. I do not advocate hunting these critters down to exterminate them, but you still have a right to protect yourself and yours. As far as stats go, that all depends on the "universe" of objects included in the population. If you include the population at large, then the probability of being mauled by a mountain lion is like the probability of being hit by lightning. But if you live in the woods where they roam, the probability is higher. Sorry to preach, I have just seen so many lame arguments made on the basis of statistics (having been in public education for the last 8 years) that I am tired of it. Free roaming cats really can do serious damage to small critters - especially birds and native bird populations are having a hard enough time of it. Just thank the idiots who decided to introduce starlings and sparrows from Europe because they were mentioned in Shakespeare!!