SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – A woman and her dog were violently attacked by a mountain lion while walking near a picnic area in Trinity County on Monday, according to a release by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
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The unidentified woman was driving on State Route 299 near Big Bar around 3 p.m. when she stopped on the side of the road near a picnic area and began walking down a path, with her dog, a Belgian Malinosis, slightly ahead of her, officials said.
She noticed movement beside her and a mountain lion suddenly swiped across and injured her left shoulder. The woman screamed and her dog immediately returned and engaged the big cat, leading to the mountain lion biting the dog's head and not letting go. The woman was unsuccessful in multiple attempts to free her pet, which included throwing rocks at the lion, trying to pull the two animals apart, and even trying to gauge the lion's eyes.
The woman returned to the road and flagged down a vehicle driving by to help her. The passerby attempted to pepper spray the lion, but the animal continued to bite the dog.
Eventually, the woman and passerby used a PVC pipe to repeatedly hit the mountain lion until it finally relinquished and released the dog.
The woman immediately drove the dog to a nearby veterinary. Officials said the dog's condition is "guarded" and it's unknown if it will survive.
Meanwhile, the woman drove herself to a hospital in Redding for medical attention. She sustained bite wounds, scratches, bruises and abrasions, all of which are non-life threatening injuries.
Wildlife officers determined through DNA tests that there was a "legitimate attack." An investigation is ongoing. The agency's law enforcement division is working with its allied partners to trap the offending mountain lion and will "further evaluate" the situation if it is caught.
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