A mountain lion escaped early Sunday morning after Rapid City police officers responded to a sighting in the south of Rapid City.

A fairly good-sized mountain lion about three-feet tall was discovered at Locust and Sycamore Street about 3 a.m., said Sgt. Eli Diaz of the Rapid City Police Department. Officers confirmed the sighting and one called it one of the "coolest sightings in 15 years," Diaz said.

The cat began hopping fences and cutting through back yards. The officers set up a perimeter to detain the animal and called the Department of Game, Fish & Parks. When the GF&P arrived, they advised that the mountain lion should be killed. By that time, the cat didn't give the officers a chance and "scurried" across Fifth Street and moved into the area of the hills.

Diaz said the animal wasn't intimidated by the officers and walked between their cars. It wasn't aggressive, and he said it probably wanted food.