A Labrador Retriever from Cedar Hills, Utah, engaged in a fierce battle with a mountain lion on July 19 to protect its family. Despite sustaining horrific injuries, the dog miraculously survived the encounter.
Ella, a 7-year-old yellow Lab, sensed the presence of the mountain lion while Crystal Michaelis and her children were enjoying outdoor activities in the backyard. Although Michaelis didn’t see the mountain lion, she noticed Ella’s unusual behavior, as the dog kept glancing at the kids and looking back at the hiding spot of the mountain lion. Michaelis shared: “She was constantly shifting her gaze between the children and the mountain lion. It seemed like she was being extremely cautious.”
Eventually, Michaelis decided to take her kids inside. When they returned to the patio door, they discovered Ella covered in severe cuts on her head, face, legs, tongue, and neck. Michaelis described the scene: “As we opened the back door, we were shocked to find Ella covered in blood. There was blood splattered all over the door and the patio.” Although the family was not present during the confrontation, officials from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources found mountain lion tracks leading to the location. Wildlife officials suspect that the mountain lion may have been distracted by some goats in a neighbor’s yard and unintentionally approached the Michaelis’ house.
After bravely defending her family from a mountain lion in Cedar Hills, Ella, the 7-year-old Labrador, suffered injuries to her head, neck, legs, and tongue. She bears more than 30 bite marks all over her body, with each attack starting from her shoulders. Michaelis expressed her admiration for Ella’s determined stance, stating: “She never gave up and continued to protect us. Despite her wounds, Ella is expected to fully recover.”
Although the mountain lion has not been sighted again, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has issued a warning to locals, urging them to remain vigilant and ensure their safety. Cougars primarily rely on deer as their food source, so they tend to follow deer movements. Faith Jolley, a public information officer from the Utah DWR, stated: “We have also observed deer regularly passing through this area.”
