Dog owners in La Verne, California were in for a shock after their dog Holly Jolly was attacked by a mountain lion.
Holly’s owners, Steve and Nicole, were watching a movie when a mountain lion attacked the three-year-old dog in their backyard on February 10.
“We heard whining and my husband said, ‘Is that Holly?’ and I said, ‘No, I think that’s the television,’ and he said, ‘No, I think that’s Holly,'” Nicole explained.
The mountain lion disappeared after attacking the giant schnauzer, startled by the home’s residents coming to their pup’s aid, but returned 20 minutes later to look for Holly.
Holly was safe and in her home when the cougar returned, and is expected to recover from her injuries.
A three-year-old schnauzer named Holly Jolly was attacked by a mountain lion in her owner’s backyard on February 10
Her owners, Steve and Nicole, were watching a movie at the time of the attack. Steve assumed the whining he heard was from the movie he and Nicole were watching
Steve and Nicole scared the mountain lion away by yelling and screaming, then brought Holly back to their house after the attack
Steve and Nicole are aware that they live near a lot of wildlife, including mountain lions.
However, it was the first time a cougar had come close to Holly.
The mountain lion attacked Holly around 9 p.m. and began wrestling and biting her.
Holly whimpered during the fight, which Steve and Nicole could hear from their home.
The owners started screaming and yelling, startling the mountain lion and causing Holly to allow it break out and run away.
“I pictured a skunk in here or something that she was just messing around with, so I went in and got a gun,” Steve said.
Although the dog managed to run away, she suffered multiple injuries from the attack.
The mountain lion quickly jumped on Holly and began biting her face in several places
Holly was treated by a vet for several injuries, including scratches and puncture wounds.
‘She did have surgery. She had a lot of stab wounds and a lot of stitches,” Nicole said ABC-7. “They said there was just a lot.”
Despite Holly’s injuries, Steve and Nicole insisted their dog is doing well and that “she’s a fighter.”
“She’s enjoying all the extra love, all the extra treats, all the extra attention – she’s loving it now,” Nicole said.
Steve and Nicole are now urging their neighbors to keep their eyes peeled for wildlife that could potentially harm people or pets.
Holly suffered multiple injuries and required surgery. However, it appears she will recover
“We just wanted to let all our neighbors know… If this thing is out, dare you jump three feet and attack a dog almost that size,” Steve said.
Steve will now join Holly in the backyard to make sure she is safe.