Lions have killed several neighbor’s dogs, and ran a horse through a fence just down the mountain where I live. Horse sustained fatal injuries.
I ran into one about 10:00 pm when I was taking my puppy out to do it’s business. It was in the middle of my circular driveway, an area about two acres. My Lab was only about 6 months old at the time and I happened to be only 10 feet from her, I used to just stay on the front porch and watch her but this time I walked out with her. It was very dark and I heard something plop to the ground about 30 feet away, it was the lion coming out of a tree.
I only had a worthless little flashlight with me, led type with low battery, and I called the puppy to my side while fishing around in my pocket for the light. I shined it in the direction of the plopping sound and my heart nearly stopped. There, at the very limit of my feeble beam of light, was the lion crouched down at the base of a tree. Every hair on my body was at attention. I shouted at the big cat, puffed my jacket out to make me look bigger, and backed my way back to the house. I was about 50 yards from the front door and it was a long and scary walk.
I turn on the perimeter flood lights now, and keep the dog on a leash at night. We stay within the lights now. I think the lion had been out there several times before, just waiting for the chance to snatch my dog.
Oh, and I carry now too. We have wolves around as well and in Montana you just never know.
You should be packing. And turn around occasionally on your walks. Cats love to sneak up on you.
Speaking with more friends and neighbors this evening, they say I am not the first to see a mountain lion in the area and the others were looked at skeptically also, even though they were otherwise reputable. Everyone is taking this seriously however.
One was only a mile from us at the Platte River bridge and another was outside a cabin about 2 miles away or less and had track evidence. Another was a bit further North, with pictures and the Game and Parks still wouldn’t take it seriously. So no matter what G&P says they really don’t take all photo and track evidence. Only if one of theirs actually has the evidence.
But, yeah, I have already started carrying on our walks and will be even more diligent especially around dusk. Also won’t go out around the farm after dark unarmed either.