Attacked by a Mountain Lion
It was after midnight when my husband, Clayton, and I stepped onto our back deck to let the cat out and breathe the cool evening air. The yard was silent except for the hum of insects. Clayton noticed a pair of eyes illuminated by the porch light as he stepped forward to get a closer look.
Before he took the second step, a large mountain lion lunged toward us from across the lawn.
Face to Face with a 300-Pound Mountain Lion
No time to think. No time to turn around. Boldness gripped Clayton as he leaned toward the approaching cougar who was in midair. He could feel that monster’s breath and he shouted, “You get out of here!” Without a second’s hesitation, the cougar twisted its body to retreat as his tail brushed Clayton’s face.
We bolted into the house, hearts pounding, trying to process what happened and stood in shock and disbelief. Looking at each other, we knew we had just experienced a miracle.
Conservation Officer Confirms the Largest Cougar on Record
“I was attacked by a huge mountain lion last night,” Clayton told the local conservation officer the next morning.
“We are aware that there is one in this area but haven’t been able to trap it. According to the sightings, he is the largest local one on record. He must be around three hundred pounds. How close did he get to you?”
“Well, he had already glided over the porch railing – so close I could feel the air shift as he flew toward me.”
“And he didn’t attack you?” The officer leaned back, incredulous, eyes narrowing as if he expected us to revise the story.
“I felt the hot rush of his breath before he twisted midair and bolted away.” We looked at each other, both struggling to process what had happened.
“We keep a leather dog collar on a hook by the door. When I found it in the yard this morning – ragged and chewed through –it hit me just how desperate that cougar must have been.”
“Well, my friends, you have witnessed a miracle,” the officer said, shaking his head. “This creature is out for blood. He is hungry and ruthless. You are one lucky couple.”
A few days later, the officer called to confirm they had captured the lion and transported him many miles away. He had a slight chuckle in his voice and said, “In my years on the force, I have never heard of a cougar retreating. He is the largest mountain lion on record, and I cannot believe he did not have you for lunch.”
Whenever we look at that chewed dog collar, we remember how close death came. We will never forget how, in one split second, boldness overcame fear.