[bd476]

This is a frightening scenario, Neverdem. The reporter also included some interesting phrases and facts in telling the story:

• "...Bysterveld and his girlfriend were on the last leg of a long hike in K-Country's Sheep River Wildlife Sanctuary when they came face-to-face with two young-looking cougars."

• Read the following out loud: "...Then Bysterveld fell."

• "...The cat, about the size of a large domestic dog, bit into his calf."

Why did Mr. Bysterveld take a baby cow on a hike through "Sheep River Wildlife Sanctuary"? (I know, calf/leg. :-) )

• "...'I hit a muddy patch and fell on my stomach, and then I turned around and grabbed its feet, gave it a toss and picked up a stick and started yelling at it,' Bysterveld said yesterday..."

and

• "...Bysterveld responded by taking the cat by its legs and tossing it about five metres..."

Five metres is 16.25 feet. A large sized domestic dog could weigh as much as 70 pounds or more.

Mr. Bysterveld threw at least a 70 pounds hungry wild animal 16 feet from a "turned around" prone position while lying in the mud. Someone should enter Mr. Bysterveld in the Olympics.

• "...Fish and wildlife crews were looking for the offending cat yesterday..."

Maybe it would be better if they sent Mr. Bysterveld. :-)

[Squantos]

When I was a puppy pusher we used to "airplane" our dogs that got out of line as an attention getter. I have seen 150 pound men grab a leash on a large 90 pound healthy german sheppard and swing it around and up into the air and slam it into the ground to "spank" the bad doggy per se........it's done . Add fear to the mix and this guy being chewed on by the mountain kitty could have tossed a oldsmobile a few feet IMHO had he wanted......

Calipornia may have firearm laws that drop humans down the food chain but a good hiking staff/pole/stick with a metal spear like point will piss kitty off if ya have time and see him coming. Better than feet. But then this guy only had to run faster than his "cow" ?

[Smokin' Joe]

My bet is that he had one hell of an adrenalin rush going about then.

I watched a guy reach down and straighten the cast aluminum shifter lever (about 3/4 inch by 1/2 inch) on an old Harley after he laid it down-with one hand. He couldn't come close to bending it later with both.

Feats of even greater strength have been noted.