The Michaelis family was having a good time in their Cedar Hills, Utah home's backyard on Wednesday evening when their hunting pet Ella began acting protective.
Had their labrador retriever not stepped in to protect them from a mountain lion, the Michaelis family would have been badly injured; or worse. The family was having a good time in their Cedar Hills, Utah home's backyard on Wednesday evening when their pet labrador named Ella began acting protective.
She was standing near the yard's rock wall while exhibiting unusual behavior, according to KSL TV. Initially, her family did not think much of it but when the dog began looking back quickly at the children and even nudged one of them to get away, they decided to retreat inside.
"She was just being very cautious, and my daughter thought it was very concerning," said the brave dog's owner Crystal Michaelis. As soon as the family moved inside, Ella encountered a mountain lion, which is also known as a cougar, in their backyard where the family was relaxing just moments ago.
Dog severely injured by mountain lion in Utah. https://t.co/5WvklkTgAj
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"We opened the back door and found Ella just bloodied. There was blood all over the door and all over the patio," recalled a shocked Michaelis. "I believe wholeheartedly that she was protecting them because it was within seconds that they came in, and this all happened," added the owner according to Fox 13 News.
While Ella managed to protect her family, she did not get away without any injuries. As per reports, she suffered "severe cuts on her head and nose, along with her tongue, legs, and neck" and "more than 30 bites on her body" following a bout with the wild animal. Ever since then the family has been hailing her as their hero.
"She is our hero," said Michaelis. The Pleasant Grove Police Department confirmed Ella's attack on Wednesday and gave nearby residents a warning. "According to [Utah Division of Wildlife Resources] officials, the dog that was attacked in Cedar Hills last night was attacked by a mountain lion. The dog is believed to have been attacked in the yard and not in the foothills," they wrote on Facebook.
"Please be cautious while using the Murdock Canal. If you live in the northern end of Pleasant Grove. Please be aware of your surroundings and know where small children are at all times. Please consider bringing pets indoors. Be safe out there," advised the police department.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) revealed that it is "not uncommon" for mountain lions sightings in the area where Ella lives. Officers are yet to find the mountain lion that attacked the dog. That being said, they did find the animal's tracks in the yards where Ella's family claimed the fight happened.
Source: YouTube Screenshot | KSL
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