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.

[B4Ranch]

"What happens if you miss?"

The noise, ie. shock wave coming from the barrel of a .357 will make that cat think you have the fiercest growl of any animal on earth. It won't want to get bit.

[Darnright]

Mine is one of the short haired, fawn/blk mask colored critters. I've always thought the Groenendael is beautiful. My Malinois is more utilitarian, although he can shed with the best of them.

[Mr.Atos]

Mals are quick, smart and powerful. There's a reason that more Police Departments are adopting the Malinois as their Shepherd of choice.

[Trueblackman]

You forgot the whole tips.

[Trueblackman]

You forgot the hollow tips.

[yournamehere]

Agreed. I came across a cougar for the first time last week. I was scouting out areas to fish next spring and was heading back to my truck along a trail in the middle of nowhere when one came out of a thicket about 80 yard in front of me. I thought it was a deer at first, but after a second or so I said to myself wow, that's a big cat! I froze as soon as I saw movement (long time hunter), so I was able to watch it clean itself on the trail for almost a minute before it saw me. When it did, it laid its ears back, and crouched. Without a second thought, I charged it - I don't even remember thinking about what I should do - I just acted. It took off like a bolt of lightening. I was damn glad it did too, because I really didn't care to tangle with it, and my 7' ugly stick wouldn't have been much help to me. He wasn't that big - maybe 110-115 lbs tops - but I'm not going back to that area again without my .357 or my labs.

[LibertyAndJusticeForAll]

Thanks for posting.
Goldens are great family dogs that are safe with children and can protect as well; even though they don't seem to have that kind of backbone.

[Darnright]

Don't forget the oddest looking BSD, the Laekenois:

To see a Laeken, Click here

[Mr.Atos]

I know, but their just so wierd... And quite rare in the US, I understand. No doubt, they belong to the Wa-loon(French) part of Belgium.

[Mr.Atos]

To break the tangent and get back on subject, a bear bell is a great idea to have on your person. I don't know if it works on a Cougar, as they are actually looking for food when they attack. But, up here, Bears are a bigger problem and you definitely do not want to startle them. Give them fair warning by making noise and they'll likely just move on and you'll never see them at all... and that is definitely a good thing. TJ wears a bear bell on his pack, that way I know where he is on the rare times he's off-leash, and he won't startle anything; bear, cats, and especially a skunk. We have been lucky not to run into anything, although I've seen him go 'alert' a couple of times. The Olympics are especially eerie, as many of the rainforest trails can be too dark to see anything that might be lurking. What's worse, dogs are restricted from the O.N.P. They are allowed in the O.N.F., but that is a very small part of the Peninsula.

[Sunsong]

Have you ever heard of one or two wolves taking down an elk or a moose by themselves?

[general_re]

No, but my point was about the pack-hunting, where they gang up on a much larger animal than themselves in order to bring it down. Had this particular cat chosen to stand and fight, the golden would have gone home in a bag, but a 150 pound mountain lion is not a 900 pound elk - if it were facing a trio of large-ish and aggressive dogs, it would have been in real trouble.

[Carry_Okie]

I keep a Dutch shepherd bitch, black/brown brindle, similar to this one.

Basically, it's the same dog as a Belgian, but with less hair. I have had the rare privelege to enjoy both KNPV and Belgian Ring trials.

If you haven't availed yourself, allow me to recommend Dog Sports Magazine. There's an awful lot of good material in that publication.

Interestingly, Atos is the name of a rather notable Dutch Shepherd, 120 pounds of him.

[Mr. Mojo]

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

No argument from me, but you'll get one from Muslims.

[sissyjane]

As the proud owner of three beautiful GOLDEN RETRIEVERS--Yahoo!!!!

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Thanks for giving me hope :-/ We bought a golden for our daughter for Christmas, and she is one hyper dog. Race here, race there, bump into stuff along the way -- she's almost dug my bird feeder post out of the ground. But smart -- it took me about 20 minutes to teach her to lie down, and now when I open the pantry door to get out a treat -- she lies down immediately. But I would love to give her a valium, or maybe a glass of wine. (just kidding.)

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Reminds me of a joke, I know you've heard it. :-D Do you know how to tell if a bear has encountered a human? There are little bells in their "products of elimination". (Couldn't think of a nice way to say that.)

[general_re]

We bought a golden for our daughter for Christmas, and she is one hyper dog. Race here, race there, bump into stuff along the way -- she's almost dug my bird feeder post out of the ground.

I grew up with and around goldens, and I can vouch for what CAWT posted - they can be a bit bouncy and boisterous when they're young, but they do slow down somewhat as they mature. Just stick with it and be firm, but not overbearing - if it's not hurting anything, just let it run around the yard or whatever. Eventually, it'll get it out of its system ;)

[I got the rope]

I had a pitpull come out of no where once while walking to my car at work. He lunged at me and I grabbed him by his head and slammed him to the ground. It scared the crap out of me! You're right, a dog is no match for a unarmed grown man....specially if they are 230lbs. Stand your ground. You can redirect a vicious dog easily. You may get a nick, but you can easily get the upper hand if you at least fight back.

[I got the rope]

specially=especially