While mountain lions may be a common sight near the foothills of Utah, a dog that decides to protect his family and refuses to back down in an encounter certainly isn’t.
But that’s exactly what Ella, a hunting dog and family protector, decided to do. Risking her life and limbs to do it, nothing can hurt her personality while she’s watching.
The scorching summer afternoon started like any afternoon, with the kids playing in the refreshing pool and Ella perched on the rock wall in her backyard. But it wasn’t long before Ella made it clear that something wasn’t quite right, and it quickly became apparent to her as well.
“She kept looking at the kids and then quickly looked back and she was really cautious. And my daughter thinks that’s very concerning,” shared Crystal Michaelis, Ella’s mother.
Ella discovered a mountain lion and became increasingly aware of its proximity to her family. While mountain lion attacks on humans are thought to be a rare event, Ella did not take any opportunity to ensure the safety of her beloved herd. However, nothing happened between them until her family stepped inside. That’s why they don’t witness their own dog confrontation.
It was a sound at the door that alerted her family to what had happened. And from what they saw when they looked outside, it was definitely not a low-level fight. Blood covered the courtyard and outer doors, along with a considerable amount seeping from Ella’s freshly healed wound. There were deep cuts on her head, nose, tongue, legs, and neck, and her body had more than 30 bites.
Their vet shared the fact that her wound only occurred on the front of her body, which suggests that Ella didn’t back down or turn her back in the fight. She remains extremely protective and defends her territory along with her family.
Recently, it was discovered that deer, the main food of mountain lions, moved through this area. So local experts agree they are more likely the reason mountain lions hang out nearby. Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, are common throughout the United States. They are adapted to many habitats and tend to run after their food source.
Although they have continued their search, wildlife experts have yet to spot the mountain lion again and are unsure of its current whereabouts. Luckily for this family protector and beloved companion, Ella is expected to make a full recovery. After engaging in a fight to protect her family, seven-year-old Ella is definitely an incredibly good girl.
Featured pictures: Youtube
