Dog Saves Owners From Mountain Lion

Labrador Mix Severely Mauled In Stomach Area, Rushed To Veterinary Hospital

(CBS/AP)  A mountain lion attacked and nearly killed a dog that defended its owners Tuesday on a trail in the Santa Ana Mountains.

The dog was severely mauled in the stomach area and rushed to a veterinary hospital for surgery, according to Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino. The 5-year-old black Labrador mix named Hoagie underwent a four-hour operation and was expected to survive, he said.

William Morse was hiking with his wife near a campground in the Cleveland National Forest, about 10 miles from Lake Elsinore, when a 120-pound mountain lion approached.

"Out of nowhere, a mountain lion just charged us, attacked us. And my dog saved our lives," Morse said.

He said the attack lasted less than 10 seconds and left the dog with deep wounds.

But, Amormino said, the dog put up a "vicious fight. I'm sure that lion was hurt, too."

Morse said he was traumatized by the attack and will never return to the campground where he and his wife have been hiking for years.

Sheriff's deputies and Forest Service officials have not located the mountain lion, which will be destroyed if located, officials said.

Watch video of the story from KCAL 9 in Los Angeles:

[Lyn007]

At least part of this story is bogus. Fish & Game found no evidence (blood, fur, etc.) anywhere in the area of a mountain lion.

[Gil222]

Maybe it was an old cat that couldn't hunt. Who know with a wild animal. Remember, they were there FIRST! Be careful in cat country. This is just ONE hazard from our overpopulation syndrome.

[PolandOH1968]

Gee, the owner was "traumatized." Anyone who takes a dog into cat country w/o being armed SHOULD BE CHARGED with animal endangerment. Where are their brains at?

[growlll]

99.999 times a cat will just follow or track a person around but with the over population of the things now due to the disney and NEA educatied idiots we see more and will be seeing more attacks like this. These cats are one of the few wild animals that does and will kill just for the joy of the kill vs needs.

[Hiker501]

I hike alone often in California. I see cat tracks all the time. I have probably hiked right by lions and never knew they were there.

It is best to carry a 9mm or bigger pistol with you when you hike. It is stupid for people to enter the mountains/forest without a gun. I would rather never use the gun and have it, than not have it and need it. I would hate to kill any wild animal, but if it is a matter of life or death, I would shoot a bear or big cat. Usually you don't have to worry about bears, they are not ambush predators, but mountains lions, you should worry a little. For the most part though, they won't bother you.

After reading this story, I think I should start taking my American Bulldog with me on hikes. Not only for these types of situations, but if you get hurt in the mountains, I have heard stories dogs will go off and try to find help. Dogs are awesome animals. No wonder humans have been domesticating dogs for 40,000+ years...

I am very happy that this dog was not killed while fighting with the cat.

[Dgunner]

I have seen my dogs protect my livestock property and relatives. I have seen the wrath that is wolfen and it is fierce with dedication and unying devotion to thier families. I parralell thier wrath with that of a enraged mother protecting a child. My animals return thier love with a glance , a wag of a tail and a lick on the hand or cheek of a small child. Then faster than you can assess the situation turn to guardian and killer.My grandfather used to tell me stories of his era. One i remeber is a young indian boy asking . Old father what if the whiteman wants the land that we have now ? Where will the bear and the puma live? They have gone to live in the stars come here i will show you. They guard the gates of our father and wait to lie down with peaceful men and woman. Before the last one leaves we will kill the whiteman by the acre and fight until we are no more.

[knyghtwolf]

"Sheriff's deputies and Forest Service officials have not located the mountain lion, which will be destroyed if located, officials said." I hope the cat and perhaps a few of his friends find them first. With all the parks, public places to walk, and such, STAY OUT OF AREAS these magnificant creatures have been FORCED to live due to humankind's illusionary dominion thinking.

[Professor2U]

Let the mountain lion live. It's his area we are intruding on.

[ToolMangler1]

. Another day and same lion & dog...well the the Dog will defend again. You ever heard? MANS BEST FRIEND.
Posted by republic7777 at 11:56 AM : May 6, 2009



100% agreed, A dog will stay with a human even when other humans will not. The only love greater than that is from Jesus or a mother for her child.
Posted by ToolMangler1 at 1:21 PM : May 6, 2009


Thats a very sad truth But I thought is was worth saying again.

[au_fait]

Sadly, it is true. Older women can be vicious.
Posted by jmcgilvray

I just spit my tea on my screen LMAO

[au_fait]

"Mountain Lions are almost always close to you in the wilderness but will never attack a group of humans, and if they see a single human they will run away as long as that human doesn't act like prey.--Posted by tmittelstaed "

you are a moron! Tell that to the hikers that have been attacked! This is not the first time a cat has attacked a hiker/jogger/camper.

[john_russell]

Oregon_State_OSU,
That must be some kick a*s s**t you're taking!
Wow!?

[DennisinSF]

I'm with you, Pres - -

While I doubt my kitty would fight off a Mountain Lion, he follows me anywhere I am in my home, never wants to be away from me - it's pretty cool - Woof, meow, chirp - it's all good!

[presjfk]

You couldn't ask for more from man's best friend. To think how cruel some people are to dogs when they will do anything for you, including putting their lives on the line without hesitation. The more people I meet, the more I love my dog.

[johnb8888]

"Mountain Lions are almost always close to you in the wilderness but will never attack a group of humans, and if they see a single human they will run away as long as that human doesn't act like prey.--Posted by tmittelstaed "

I see, that's why this one attacked two people and a dog? Duh?

I prefer a big bore revolver, like a .357. You can draw and shoot one of those things pretty darn quick--if the anti-gun morons and bureaucrats don't arrest you for defending yourself.

[tmittelstaed]

To the Glock idiot, if the cat attacked you, you would be mauled before you could draw your gun. These cats silently appear out of nowhere and can be on you before you know what hit you. Mountain Lions are one of the few predators that the Indians out west cooperated with the Pioneers to eliminate, even when otherwise fighting with each other. That doesn't mean that carrying a gun out in the woods is a bad idea, just that your a fool if you think your safe just because you have one with you. Mountain Lions are almost always close to you in the wilderness but will never attack a group of humans, and if they see a single human they will run away as long as that human doesn't act like prey.

It's quite likely that Hoagie was the reason the cat appeared, as a matter of fact. The cat likely had killed other dogs, foxes or coyotes before and knew they were a food source. It is always a risk to bring a dog into a wilderness area, they can pick up ticks, they can pick up poison oak and get it on you, they can get bit by rattlesnakes. And unless they are trained, bringing them into bear country is really stupid.

I have a Lab mix myself and they are very affectionate dogs but they play hard and if you have one, you have to wear leather gloves because they will bite. They won't bite hard enough to break the skin when they are playing, but they will scuff up a bare hand if you let them. And they need their playtime and will become real pests if you aren't willing to take them out and let them play with other dogs regularly. My guess is Hoagie's prior owners were fat, lazy couch potatos who didn't take their dog out enough and this business about Hoagie being a biter is a load of c r a p.

[DennisinSF]

What a cool Dog - Hope you're all well soon -

WOOF!

[DennisinSF]

What a cool Dog - Hope you're all well soon -

WOOF!

[Hermit1948]

I never go into the wilderness or other areas--where I could be mauled or eaten without my Glock 20. Thankfully I never have had to use it.

[Hermit1948]

Hoagie is a hero. I wish Hoagie a speedy and complete recovery.

There are simply too many mountain lions in California. Just check with their Department of Natural Resources. How many more attacks have to happen before California will open a hunting season on these cats?