Heroic Labrador Retriever Fights Mountain Lion To Save Two Children And Protect The Family

KSLTV News reports that on July 19, a Labrador dog in Cedar Hills, Utah, battled off a mountain lion to save its family. Despite suffering horrific injuries, the dog lived to see another day.

Ella, a 7-year-old yellow Lab, observed the mountain lion as Crystal Michaelis and her kids were playing in the backyard. Michaelis didn’t see the mountain lion, but she did observe Ella acting oddly and shifting her attention back and forth between the youngsters and the mountain lion’s hiding place.

Michaelis said, “She kept glancing towards the kids and then looking back so quickly. My kid thought it was quite alarming even though she was only being careful.

Michaelis finally brought her children inside. Ella’s head, face, legs, tongue, and neck were all severely cut as they reached the patio door. ” Ella was covered in blood when we opened the rear door. Michaelis said, “There was blood all over the entrance and the terrace.
Although the family was not there for the battle, mountain lion footprints leading to the site were discovered by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officials. The mountain lion may have become sidetracked by some nearby goats in a neighbor’s yard and strayed too close to the Michaelis’ house, according to wildlife officials.

Michaelis said, “She kept glancing towards the kids and then looking back so quickly. My kid thought it was quite alarming even though she was only being careful.

Ella, a 7-year-old lab, suffered cuts on her head, neck, legs, her tongue, and has 30+ bites on her body after protecting her family from a mountain lion in Cedar Hills. We’ll have this story tonight on @KSL5TV at 6:30. #ksltv pic.twitter.com/gTaA9I3Djk— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) July 20, 2022

Although the mountain lion has not been spotted again, the Utah DWR has issued a warning to locals to keep vigilant and safe. Deer are cougars’ major food supply, so they frequently follow where deer go, according to DWR public relations officer Faith Jolley. “They’ve also spotted deer traveling through this region,” she said.

In total, Ella was bit more than 30 times, always starting from the shoulders. Michaelis told reporters, “Which implies she never gave up and stayed in that protective stance and protected it. Ella is anticipated to make a complete recovery despite her wounds.