The first thing I thought of was a mountain lion-we have them here and although they have never attacked humans or livestock because they have plenty of room, and game to eat, they do attack and kill wandering dogs and cats all the time, so it is prudent not to take your dog hiking with you-they will go after a human who panics and runs-happens all the time in more densely populated places like Cali. I would bet that that poor woman was killed by a bear or mountain lion that was attracted by her dogs-it makes more sense than her previously well-behaved dogs mauling her to death.
Black bears have been reintroduced into a wildlife area nearby and have already been spotted twice less than 20 miles away-so something else to be aware of when hiking, etc-my 1st hubby was from NM-we went there a lot and were always watching out for bears in the woods...
I have a *huge* sow with a tracking collar walking up and down my freaking lane, 30 feet from my front door.
I’ve only seen her on the neighbor’s trail cam photos...which is why she’s still able to walk.
They’ve also “reintroduced” mountain lions to the area, although they deny it vehemently.
No one can explain the 24/7 hotline mountain lion sighting phone number listed on the many posters slapped up, warning us of dire consequences, should we dare to harm or kill any of the mountain lions we “don’t have here”.
It’s just like the great “non-existent coyotes” fiasco of 20 years ago.