Municipal police officers from Zacoalco de Torres have shot and killed a baby puma as it was trying to protect itself from a forest fire.
Authorities were called after the puma was spotted in a built-up area after apparently taking refuge from a nearby blaze.
When police officers arrived they found the animal trapped by street dogs.
For an unknown reason, the officers decided to ignore the established procedure of calling the relevant authorities (the Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion de Ambiente or Profepa) and instead shot the puma.
Animal welfare groups condemned the police action, which violates federal law.
Elsa Stettner of Animal A.C. said police officers need training on how to face these kinds of situations.
Although not considered an endangered species, pumas, or mountain lions, are rare in Jalisco, although infrequent sightings have been made in the Primavera Forest.