A man in Buckeye, Arizona, had a frightening experience when a mountain lion attacked his dog during a nighttime walk. The incident occurred on May 25 around 10 p.m. in a neighborhood known as Verrado, which is located about 30 miles west of Phoenix.
According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the man managed to kick the lion away from his dog, preventing any serious injuries. However, the mountain lion returned, prompting the man to shoot it in self-defense. The wildlife agency later collected the lion’s body without any further issues.
Encounters between humans and mountain lions are rare, but as urban areas expand, these big cats are losing their natural habitat, increasing the likelihood of such incidents. It’s estimated that around 2,500 to 3,000 mountain lions live in Arizona.
Experts advise that if you ever meet a mountain lion, you should not run away. Instead, stand your ground and back away slowly, making sure to keep an escape route open. You can also make yourself appear larger and throw sticks or rocks if necessary.
In a related incident, another dog owner in Florida bravely intervened during an alligator attack on her pet. Kim Spencer jumped on the alligator to save her dog, Kona, who survived but needed stitches for bite wounds.
