Golden Retriever Saves Hikers From Mountain Lion

DenverChannel News ^ | 2.5.04

[ambrose]

Golden Retriever Saves Hikers From Mountain Lion Friendly 'Stanley' Charges Until Mountain Lion Climbs Up Tree

POSTED: 8:08 AM MST February 5, 2004

UPDATED: 8:56 AM MST February 5, 2004

LYONS, Colo. -- A trusty golden retriever named Stanley is being hailed a hero after saving his owner and her friend from a mountain lion.

The two women were hiking with their dogs off Highway 7 in Lyons last week when a mountain lion approached. They had noticed tracks in the area but they thought the tracks were old until Betsy Burton spotted an animal out of the corner of her eye.

"I turned to my left and he was right there. About 4 to 6 feet, kind of to the left of me, but behind me. It was this absolutely gorgeous mountain lion," Burton said. "At first I really didn't get it. I saw him and I thought, 'How beautiful.'"

Then the lion spotted Burton and Cindy Kaylan. They say it crouched down and began to growl.

"The lion just kept staring at Betsy and it just seemed like he was going to come after her," Kaylan said. "I felt like running but I knew that wasn't the right thing to do."

Burton then yelled at Kaylan to find a big branch and hold it above her head to make her appear larger.

"You know, that made me act big. We just kept screaming," said Kaylan, who owns Stanley.

"Then all of a sudden Stanley just charged at him, and the mountain lion ran up a tree about 30 feet away," Kaylan said.

They could hear the lion roaring at the dog from the tree.

"About a minute later Stanley came (back). We thought Stanley would be dead or completely bloody but Stanley was fine," Burton said. "What is good about that is Stanley, being as brave as he is, gave us time to do what we're suppose to do."

The Department of Wildlife is monitoring the area. It estimates that the mountain lion the woman confronted weighs about 150 pounds.

A local wildlife expert recommends anyone who wants to hike in mountain lion territory to carry bear Mace. It sprays up to 30 feet and scares the lions long enough for a person to get away.

[Redcloak]

Stanley was a lucky dog. Most dogs his size distract mountain lions away from their owners by taking a long time to eat.

...oh, and as to the story's advice about mace: various crude, vulgar, obscene, and otherwise inappropriate exclamations come to mind all of which eventually express the idea that a GUN would be the proper tool for such an application.

[20yearvet]

MACE is the name of my 38, Max is the 357, and there is Big Brother the 44 mag.

[Mr.Atos]

If you've see a dog snap another's neck, you know why that cat ran. Do not underestimate the voracity of a dog in fear for it's life... or yours.

[BobS]

I sometimes work in an area where a coyote totally ignores me. He just walks right by. No, I don't smell bad:) He likes the fat rabbits running around loose! And he gets his drink of water from sprinklers. He does well!

[Joe 6-pack]

Here, kitty, kitty...

[Dan from Michigan]

Another reason why dogs are a man's best friend.

[Oorang]

If a dog were your teacher, you would learn stuff like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout.... run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

[VadeRetro]

If you've see a dog snap another's neck, you know why that cat ran. Do not underestimate the voracity of a dog in fear for it's life... or yours.

My money would be on a 150 pound cat against a golden retriever in a real fight. The cat is strong as a horse and made of razor blades.

[Redcloak]

You are correct. The lion is looking for a meal, not a fight. Running simply makes you look like an overgrown mouse. Crouching down and looking non-aggressive simply makes you look like a stupid, overgrown mouse. Kitties loves mouseses!

Standing your ground makes you look like something that might eat the overgrown kitty.

[Mr.Atos]

That'll do...That'll do!

[NeonKnight]

Do you underestimate the power of a full grown 200lb man? I guarantee you, no 60lb dog is going to get the better of me. He may injure me, but he will die...even if I don't have a weapon.

[VadeRetro]

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

When strangers come, smell their butts.

[DesertWalker]

I can tell you from personal experience that you are exactly right. A few years ago in Idaho I was walking alone on a remote trail near Granjean. I turned around, and a lion was about 10 feet behind me.

It went down to the ground and growled, staring right at me. I stood up as tall as I could - I'm 6"1" - waived my hat in the air, and yelled at the lion. It just stared at me and laid its ears back. The problem was I was stuck on a little piece of land surrounded by a deep creek, and I had to walk right by the lion to get back to the main trail.

So, I pulled out my Smith Model 29 .44 Magnum, pointed it at the lion between the eyes, and walked right past it while I yelled at it. I could have tapped the lion on the nose with the gun barrel. It just crouched and growled and kept staring, but didn't move.

It followed me down the trail for at least a 100 yards. I kept yelling and waving my hat. Finally it broke off.

So, yes, resist, yell, waive, aim your gun well, but DON'T RUN.

[bolobaby]

Dogs rule. You never hear stories about how cats saved their owner's lives.

[tertiary01]

Happens in the Sierra Nevada too. One time while hiking my Chesapeake went charging downstream until she was out of sight, then I heard all this barking and growling. When I got to where she was, she was growling in the direction of some trees about 200 feet up the hill, then she gradually calmed down. I looked around and found a one of the largest fresh cat tracks, I'd ever seen. Of course I also carry a weapon, but she was my best early warning system.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I hope you don't ever have to find out. The weight of the dog isn't as important as the strength of its jaw!

[Mr.Atos]

Perhaps! But, there is a reason why that is their job (re: Sheepdogs), and there is also a reason for an instinctual reaction for the cat to flee. I'd put my money on a full-grown Belgian or Alsatian. And I do.

[mrmeyer]

Me too. I carry a can of bear mace with me into the woods, as well as my Glock. No way in H*ll am I going to protect my life with a can of pressurized tabasco sauce.

[Mr.Atos]

I'm not sure I'd make that bet, but your welcome to try it. I suggest you save that for an episode of 'Dumbarse.' Those dolts deserve it.

[NeonKnight]

I have found out. I have raised both bird dogs and pit bulls. And yes, they can hurt you, but in a REAL fight, when you are both fighting for your life....you should be able to win against a 60lb dog. The problem is, most people don't appreciate their strength and get defensive, rather than aggressive.