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.

[ambrose]

[ambrose]

woof.

[FITZ]

Nice dog story bump!

[MOX]

MAN'S BEST FRIEND...... any questions?

[John Beresford Tipton]

"Golden Retriever Saves Hikers From Mountain Lion'

And all Lassie can do is point toward a well!

[Clink]

Best dogs in the world.

[NeonKnight]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I tried to explain on another thread that the best way to survive a mnt lion attack is to be aggressive, and show no fear....much like stanley did. I was flamed to death.

You face them, and you fight back. You would probably lose if the cat fought back....but they won't. Their very survival prohibits them from encountering injury. Though you would lose...you would most likely be able to injure them. Once they realize that you will not run, and that you are not just going to roll over, they are outta there....ask Stanley.

[hole_n_one]

G' boy!....that's a g' boy!

[Servant of the 9]

I think you might or might not get away with bluffing a big cat, but if you turn and run you are certainly doomed. Any cat will pounce on anything that runs.

So9

[Mr.Atos]

Thank you for posting this. It is a great story and a reminder of why they ARE our best friends.

Never leave home without it...

[NeonKnight]

The truth is, you normally wouldn't see an attack from a mtn lion coming. It would be quick, and probably from above. My point is simply something that Stanley inherintly knew. A mtn lion CANNOT afford injury. Their very survival depends on it....and that is your advantage.

[VadeRetro]

Any cat will pounce on anything that runs.

And you're not going to outrun it unless you're five yards from your back door.

[whipitgood]

MACE???? Sorry folks, but I will carry my trusty pistol next time I go hiking in the mountains.

[knak]

great story, we love our golden. She's the best dog we have ever had!

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Great story, however Golden Retriever's are so damn nuts and high strung I suspect the mountain lion figured he had rabies and just didn't want to catch anything!! ;-)

[Petronski]

Reminds me of your tagline.

[Scenic Sounds]

Good boy, Stanley!! ;-)

[Mr.Atos]

I tend to pack both. His nose alone is as valuable as the steel companionship, and will give you the 15 second head's up that you may need to direct that piece. In the dark forests of the Cascades and Olympics, your likely to walk right up to a bear or a cat and not otherwise know it until its too late.

[NeonKnight]

Think about it. I could probably win a fight against Stanley...but not a mtn lion. Yet he managed to chase off a mtn lion. Why? Because he showed no fear and threatened a fight with the cat. You are bigger than Stanley, and a big cat has more natural fear of you than a small dog. Why couldn't you do exactly what Stanley did? Fear...thats why.

[wolficatZ]

 

meow