Hoagie, a Labrador mix, was mauled by a mountain lion while defending its owners in the Cleveland National Forest.
Posted on 05/06/2009 12:52:10 PM PDT by JoeProBono
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."
Hoagie, a Labrador mix, was mauled by a mountain lion while defending its owners in the Cleveland National Forest.
I have a Labrador German Shepard mix. Smart, sweet and very protective. His only fault is that he is the biggest racist Ive ever known.
Man’s best FRiend, next to S&W Ping
Doggy BUMP!
Good boy, Hoagie!!! Your family sure loves you, boy!
A dog doesn’t ever jam. It may eat jam. And generally it doesn’t run out of ammo.
Awwwwwwwwwwww. Great story.
Interesting that you should mention that. We had a beautiful Collie years ago. She had a sweet, friendly disposition to everyone until....one day a "door-to-door" religious group arrived at our front gate. There was a black lady among them and the Collie reacted in a way that I've never seen before.
I don't think that it's racism on the dog's part. It is that they are seeing a human being that's very different from what they're accustomed to.
Tearing up. Good boy Hoagie. R.I.P.
Good Boy!
All Spot's ever done is chase a black bear down the mountain when I was hiking. I keep the TownCar just for him!
I saw this story on last night’s local news and do not have any sympathy for the dog owners. First of all, why are pets allowed on hiking trails in the forest? Or, are they? And, if they are allowed, they should be on leash.
This dog was off leash and chased the big cat, whose habitat the forest is. The big cat then defended itself. Okay?
These are irresponsible dog owners who place their own dog in jeopardy, not to mention other hikers who might be surprised by their dog.
If you want your dog to enjoy off-leash freedom, do it in your own backyard.
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No. Not according to this story:
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.
The mountain lion may have appeared first but did not "charge" first. The dog chased, as is dog nature. Dog chases cat, it happens every day.
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