Posted on 03/21/2013 7:09:12 AM PDT by Uncle Chip
A Colorado dog owner has been left without his furry friend after the animal was grabbed off the street by a mountain lion, who killed and ate the canine.
The incident last week in a Colorado Springs, Colorado, gated community, was the third such attack in two months. The unidentified man told authorities that he was walking his Dachshund when the mountain lion sprung out of some bushes and grabbed the dog - leash and all - and ran off.
Michael Seraphin, spokesman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, told KOAA-TV: 'The mountain lion came out from some bushes that are in close proximity to the street that he was walking on, grabbed the Dachshund, and tucked and pulled hard enough to yank the leash out of his hand.'
The cougar then killed the small dog and ate it. Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman Michael Seraphin said the mountain lion was deemed a threat to public safety and a plan was set to capture it after the incident last Wednesday.
Several hours after the attack, the mountain lion was successfully trapped.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
“Another airtight argument for indoor only cats. Doesn’t help with canines unfortunately.”
It is nothing of the sort. Folks in rural areas need cats who control the vermin population.
Some/many cats are unhappy indoors only. I do not accept the notion that whatever will probably extend a cat’s life expectancy is what is best for the cat.
“According to the article, you are now supposed to talk firmly to the predator and they will just turn right around and run away.”
And use humor and urinate in your pants...even defecate or vomit, that’ll deter ‘em.
“Airedale? I think a Rhodesian Ridgeback would be more appropriate. They were bred to hunt lions”
In our region they mix an Airdale in with the pack for hogs and bear. But we also use Rhodesian Ridgebacks. The Rhodie would have been a tough kill. My sister’s Pyranees would have made mincemeat out of that Cougar.
Well, a secure outdoor enclosure off the house or in the yard is alright. Shorter but happier life trumps a long-lived but miserable indoor cat is easy for us to say but there is a lot more than insects in the extraordinary array of dangers they will face unattended, and most likely die a miserable death from.
You got dat right.
Thank you, I will keep that in mind about the Pyranees.
I am considering relocating to a farm and buying a small flock of sheep. Using a dog to stay with the sheep is something I’ve been looking into.
Lesson learned hopefully. . .
Pyranees are natural guard dogs. They don’t really have to even be trained for it. My sister’s dog just loves all little animals. In GA and NC they use them for the goat herds.
That is the biggest problem and why lion attacks have increased over the last two decades. Mountain lions used to fear men and their guns, but with little hunting pressure (or none at all like in California) their numbers have increased and lions now have little or no fear of people and see them as a potential meal.
Actually it's more like a snack to them.
There has been a spate of coyote attacks in my area. Every week or so you see the “Reward, lost dog” sign go up in the neighborhood. Every dog is small.
I just moved from a beautiful spot on a MT. It became so overrun with cougar, you could barely go outside. I’m amazed that more cats, dogs, people haven’t been attacked.
You might also consider a Maremma. It is an Italian sheep dog. They are bred specifically , like Pyranees, to guard the sheep and kill wolves & coyotes.
I would get two though, not just one.
I have been owned by both airedales and ridgebacks. I doubt the cat would have attacked either breed under the circumstances described in the article, especially a ridgeback. In contrast, the “hot dog” was easy prey.
My Rhodies weigh in at about 120 lbs. and are all muscle. The Airedales I had were only about 60 lbs.
You are right; the Rhodie would have been a tough kill.
However, unless seriously provoked, Rhodies are the sweetest doggies I know. But, you don’t want one to be angry with you.
Oh that’s just wrong. Lololol
Ok, so how does that taste? Will kitty like that one, too?
Good advice.
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