Throughout an early morning run in southern California, two unarmed path runners summoned the braveness to tackle a cougar
Pete Deneen (left) and Ross Monroe kneel with Ross’ canine Carter after the mountain lion assault. {Photograph} by Eddie Klemencic
It was simply after daybreak and my trail-running associate Ross and I have been descending Sisar Canyon after we heard his canine, Carter, yelp behind us. And not using a second’s hesitation we turned on the spot and ran again up the path towards the canine’s cries. We stored our tempo at a measured dash — an unstated understanding to preserve our power for no matter may lie across the bend. We didn’t know what to anticipate, however Carter sounded distressed and we knew he needed to get there quick.
For some purpose, a mountain lion was not on my thoughts on the time. In hindsight, it ought to have been the very first thing I considered. A spate of mountain lion incidents right here in southern California’s Ojai Valley final winter had prompted me to start researching and writing in regards to the large cats. In a matter of weeks throughout February 2023, a number of cougars have been killed by autos and located useless in native orchards. In one of many more strange incidents that month, a cat got here face-to-face with a lady in a populated neighborhood in the midst of the day, then snatched up the poodle-terrier she was strolling on a brief leash. I used to be in the midst of writing an article about cougars when Ross and I went on our morning run up the canyon on Jan. 10.
Working Off the Lion
As we sprinted across the bend within the dim morning mild, Carter got here into view beneath the cover of a coastal reside oak at a fork within the path. From 20 yards away, the lion was standing atop the 50-pound husky-pitbull combine. The cat’s head was down and it grappled with the canine because it tried to get its jaws round Carter’s throat.
With Ross on my left flank, we got here across the bend. The cat seemed up, made eye contact, and commenced working to the left towards Sisar Creek with Carter dangling from its jaws. I sped up and charged straight on the cougar, Ross sprinting beside me.
We have been 5 yards away, hearts in our throats, shouting “HEY!” repeatedly in guttural tones. As Ross defined in a radio interview with KCLU: “The primary noise I attempted to make after we have been working [at the mountain lion] nothing got here out. There was vomit behind my mouth, I used to be so scared.”
On my last lunge earlier than I made contact, I nonetheless had no plan for the way I’d free the canine. With the cat going through me, I figured the most secure choice can be to steer with my foot and kick it within the head, preserving my face and neck protected.
On the final potential second, the cougar dropped the canine. It leapt head-high into an oak tree close to the path, however misplaced its footing and fell to the bottom on its again. For a second, I believed the startled lion would spring again at me or the wounded canine. As a substitute, the large cat rolled towards the creek and disappeared into the willows.
Bloodied and traumatized, however in any other case remarkably okay, Carter ultimately allowed us to strategy and leash him. He shook off as if he’d simply gone for a swim, splattering us with blood. Carter made the 3-mile run again to my home beneath his personal energy regardless of his de-gloved ear, puncture wounds to his throat and neck, and facial lacerations. The emergency vet stitched him again up and, regardless of scars and a floppy ear, he now acts prefer it by no means occurred.
De-Briefing After the Encounter
Anybody who spends time in lion nation imagines what they could do in a scenario like this one. Consultants say two of one of the best methods to stop a mountain lion encounter are to keep away from nightfall and daybreak, and to all the time preserve your pet leashed. However each scenario is circumstantial. Simply ask that Ojai lady who engaged in a tug-of-war with a mountain lion last February and sadly misplaced. She had her canine on a brief leash and was strolling in broad daylight down a neighborhood highway, but the lion nonetheless accepted the danger and went for her canine, taking its collar and leash together with it. She cites the quick lead as a possible drawback in her scenario. However it’s not all the time sensible (and even potential) to maintain your canine leashed outdoor, particularly should you’re working, searching, or working with a canine.
When coming face-to-face with a mountain lion, the final recommendation is to make your self large, get loud, and stand your floor. However there are extra circumstances that dictate the suitable response: Are you alone? Are you bodily in a position to reply? Is it darkish out? Are there cubs around? Does the lion have your pet in its jaws? Who has the factor of shock?
I’m grateful Ross and I have been collectively that morning. Ross, an orthopedic doctor’s assistant, is a member of the native search-and-rescue group, and he ran cross nation for the College of North Carolina. We’re coaching for our first ultramarathon later this yr.
At 6 ft 3 inches, I’ve a bigger body than Ross, who affectionately calls me “The Clydesdale.” I’m additionally a former collegiate soccer participant and Coast Guard veteran, and a lifetime of athletics and response coaching ready me effectively for that second. We agree that there’s hardly anybody we’d somewhat be with in that scenario than one another.
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To be introduced with a real-life alternative and react the best way we did feels immensely validating. (Assaults on people by mountain lions are uncommon, despite the fact that the most recent research reveals an estimated 4,500 lions within the state. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has verified six separate assaults on people since 2020, with the final deadly assault going down in 2004.) I’m proud that we had the braveness to deal with the scenario head-on, and I’m relieved that Carter is alive and effectively. I’m extra appreciative of mountain lions than I used to be earlier than the encounter, and extra dedicated to understanding lions and advocating for ways in which people can higher coexist with them of their native habitat.
I’d wish to assume that we additionally imparted a optimistic lesson on a resident lion that may seemingly keep in Sisar Canyon and have lots extra possibilities to prey on pets and other people. Hopefully, the lion will forgo these alternatives due to the expertise it had with us.
