Big Bar, Calif.-- A woman who was attacked by a mountain lion in Northern California says her dog jumped to her defense and was badly injured in securing her.
" I will [n] ever have the ability to live up to how fantastic and faithful she is to me," Erin Wilson told the Sacramento Bee on Tuesday.
Wilson, 24, resides in rural Trinity County, about four hours northwest of Sacramento. On Monday, she drove to the Trinity River near unincorporated Big Bar to take an afternoon walk with Eva, her 2 1/2- year-old Belgian Malinois.
Wilson was on a course, with Eva a couple of backyards in front of her, when a mountain lion lunged and swiped at her, scratching Wilson's left shoulder through her coat, she stated.
" I yelled 'Eva!' and she came running," Wilson stated. "And she struck that cat really hard."
The canine weighs 55 pounds and was beat by the cougar however battled fiercely.
" They fought for a couple seconds, and after that I heard her start sobbing," Wilson said.
The cougar bit the dog's head and wouldn't release, even when Wilson attacked the animal with rocks, sticks and her fists and tried to choke it and gouge its eyes.
The feline attempted to kick her off, scratching her with its back paws. Wilson said she ran back to her pickup truck, grabbed a tire iron and flagged down a passing car.
That chauffeur, Sharon Houston, told the Bee that she grabbed a long length of PVC pipeline and pepper spray. Together, the women started beating the lion, which had actually dragged the pet dog off the path.
Houston finally sprayed the animal with the pepper spray and it ran away, Houston said.Wilson was treated for non-life-threatening scratches, scrapes and bruises.
Wilson's spouse, Connor Kenny, informed SFGATE that Eva had 2 skull fractures, a punctured sinus cavity and serious damage to her left eye. The dog had seizures on the drive to the veterinarian however supported over night.
" We are confident she will pull through this," Kenny composed. "She's a fighter, clearly."
The canine remained in protected condition, said a statement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Wildlife officers have gathered samples from the injuries for DNA analysis and authorities will attempt to trap the cougar, the department said.Mountain lion attacks on people are rare however in such cases the animals usually are killed if they are captured.
Meanwhile, Wilson said she hopes Eva will recuperate. She has actually begun a GoFundMe page to raise money for the veterinarian bills, and she's currently planning how to thank Eva: with some new packed toys and a steak supper.