Arizona Man Kills Mountain Lion to Protect Pet Dog from Animal Attack
A man shot and killed a mountain lion after the big cat attacked his dog
The dog and its owner were out for a walk at night in Buckeye, Arizona, when the mountain lion aggressively approached them
The dog sustained no serious injuries in the encounter with the wild animalA man and his dog are safe after a dangerous encounter with a mountain lion.
On May 25, around 10 p.m., in Buckeye — about 30 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona — the man was walking his dog in a residential area called Verrado when a mountain lion approached the pair and attacked them, the Arizona Game and Fish Department told PEOPLE in a statement.
The "brief altercation" did not result in serious injuries for the canine, with the man successfully "kicking the lion off his dog," the department's statement read. Yet, the altercation didn't deter the predator, because the mountain lion doubled back, per the statement, following the man and dog as they returned home.
The mountain lion approached the duo again, but this time, the man fatally shot the big cat. The killing was an act of self-defense, the statement read. The state's wildlife management agency picked up and transported the dead mountain lion without further incident.
Mountain lion and human encounters are rare, but the spread of urban and suburban sprawl is leading to increased run-ins as the big cats lose their natural habitat. The University of Arizona estimated that roughly 2,500 to 3,000 wild mountain lions are living in the state.
"If you encounter a lion, do not run. Face the lion and slowly back away, leaving an escape route, " the university said in a statement, per The Island Packet. "You should also try to appear larger by raising your arms over your head. You may also throw rocks and sticks as long as you can avoid crouching down."
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Another dog owner recently went to extreme lengths to protect her pup. Kim Spencer of Tampa, Florida, was on an evening walk with her dog Kona when an alligator emerged from a lake nearby with its sights set on the pet.
While the alligator got Kona's head in its jaws, Spencer mobilized and jumped on the back of the gator, effectively wrangling the reptile.
"I stopped thinking and just dove on it, jumped on it and straddled it, as lady-like as that is, and was trying to pry its jaws open," she said.
Kona survived the attack thanks to Spencer, leaving the altercation with several deep bite wounds that required stitches.
Read the original article on People
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Emilie Kiser Files to Keep Footage of 3-Year-Old Son's Drowning Sealed as New Details Emerge About His Death (Exclusive Source)
On May 18, local police confirmed to PEOPLE that Emilie Kiser's 3-year-old son, Trigg, died on May 18 after he was involved in a drowning incident six days earlier The influencer filed a lawsuit on May 27 to keep records about her son's death out of public view. Over 100 requests were filed for access to public records, and a source tells PEOPLE this included requests for footage of Trigg's fatal accident Amid the ongoing case, Kiser filed a separate motion to keep her "personal declaration" private. On June 3, the Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County ruled to grant her temporary confidentiality on her larger request as well while the court reviews evidenceEmilie Kiser and her legal team have taken a major step in their effort to keep records sealed about the death of her 3-year-old son Trigg. On June 3, the Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County ruled in the influencer's favor on a separate motion she filed to keep her personal declaration private. The court order will grant Kiser temporary confidentiality on both her declaration and her larger request for privacy while the court reviews evidence to make a final ruling. A source tells PEOPLE exclusively that Kiser's personal declaration "reflects an intensely personal account of her grief and trauma, submitted to help the court understand her perspective — not for public consumption." "The core legal issues remain fully transparent through public filings by counsel and the court. Emilie's sealed declaration does not hinder the public's understanding of the case or its legal significance," the source says. "Preserving a small measure of privacy in the midst of public scrutiny is a reasonable and compassionate choice given the circumstances." On May 18, a spokesperson for the Chandler Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that Trigg was hospitalized after authorities responded to a drowning call on May 12. The toddler died on May 18, per the statement. Kiser — who has 1.7 million Instagram followers — filed the lawsuit to keep records about the tragedy out of public view just over one week after the toddler's death was confirmed. According to court documents, Kiser's legal representation stated that she and her family "desperately want to grieve in private, but sadly, the public will not let them," adding that Trigg's death "has become a media frenzy." The lawsuit said that the City of Chandler and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office has received over 100 requests for access to public records related to the incident. A source tells PEOPLE that said filings include "requests for the footage of a toddler's death, which only serves to satisfy morbid curiosity more than any type of justice." "Rabid fans and media have surrounded Emilie's home, filmed through her windows, sent unsolicited packages, contacted members of her family who have private phone numbers, and even falsely announced Trigg's death in the press before it was confirmed," adds the insider. Kiser was not home at the time of the drowning accident, says the source, who maintains that the influencer "should not be forced to relive the aftermath" as she mourns her son. "Emilie has fully cooperated with investigators," the source tells PEOPLE. "The focus here is not on withholding information, but on safeguarding the dignity of a child and allowing a grieving family the space and privacy to heal." The insider describes Kiser's larger, ongoing lawsuit to seal records as "a deeply personal, and reasonable, plea to prevent the public release of the most traumatic moment of her life." The source continues, "Emilie's public profile does not negate her right to privacy, nor does it make her son's death a matter for public consumption. Being online should not strip someone of basic human decency." Read the original article on People
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Ryan Lochte breaks silence on ‘difficult decision' behind divorce from wife Kayla Rae Reid
Famed Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte is opening up about his divorce from wife Kayla Rae Reid after seven years of marriage. In the wake of the former Playboy model's divorce revelation Wednesday, the 12-time Olympic medalist broke his silence in a candid Instagram post, expressing that while the decision 'hasn't been easy,' he believes 'it's the right step toward peace and well-being' for himself and Reid. 5 Ryan Lochte and Kayla Rae Reid revealed their divorce in June 2025. WireImage 'I want to take a moment to acknowledge what Kayla shared. This past year has brought major changes for both of us as we've come to the difficult decision to end our marriage,' the 40-year-old Lochte penned. 'I'm deeply grateful for the life we've built together and especially for the love we share for our three children. 'Although this decision hasn't been easy, I believe it's the right step toward peace and well-being for us both. I remain committed to healing, growth, and co-parenting with care and respect as we move forward separately.' 5 They have three children together. ryanlochte/Instagram Reid, who shares daughters Liv, 5, Georgia, 1, and 7-year-old son Caiden with Lochte, announced Wednesday she and the six-time Olympic gold medalist had gone their separate ways. 'Earlier this year, I made the hard decision to end my marriage after deep prayer and reflection,' she posted on social media. 'I hold marriage in the highest regard, so this has been one of the most painful, revealing, and challenging seasons of my life. I've been hesitant to share until I could do so from a place of healing — not from fresh, open wounds.' 5 Ryan Lochte and Kayla Rae Reid tied the knot in 2018. kaylaraereid/Instagram The message from Reid came roughly two months after she filed for divorce on March 26, according to People, citing court records. 'Sometimes we face trials we didn't choose or see coming. And in those moments, we're forced to make the hardest decisions to protect our peace, our children, and our future. I've come to the understanding that staying isn't always the most loving decision someone can make. For me, leaving was an act of love — for those around me and for myself,' Reid added in her message. 5 Court records show Kayla Rae Reid filed for divorce in March 2025. kaylaraereid/Instagram 'Living with transparency and authenticity has been how I have grown into the person I am today, and I'll continue to do so — while also protecting the parts of this journey that are private and unfolding in uncharted territory.' Lochte concluded his message Wednesday by thanking loved ones for their 'continued support' as he and Reid navigate new waters. 5 Ryan Lochte is a 12-time Olympic medalist. AFP/Getty Images 'It truly means a lot as we begin this next chapter,' he shared. Lochte married Reid in 2018 — two years after he found himself at the center of international controversy for falsely claiming he and teammates had been robbed at gunpoint during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He was dropped by sponsors in the aftermath and hit with a 10-month suspension from USA Swimming. Lochte expressed gratitude for Reid at the time as she stayed by his side through the scandal. 'Through everything that's happened, we've established ups and downs [that] most people establish in a relationship in 20 years. We did it in a matter of almost a year,' Lochte told 'Entertainment Tonight' in 2016. 'She stuck right there by me and just was my rock. That's when I knew. I was like, 'I'm not letting this one go.'' The pair got engaged in 2016.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
A man killed a mountain lion in Buckeye and won't face any legal consequences. Here's why
A Buckeye man who killed a mountain lion that attacked him and his dog would not face legal consequences because he acted in self-defense, state wildlife officials said. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on May 25 in the Verrado community at the southeast corner of the White Tank Mountains. The man was walking his dog when the mountain lion attacked, and he was able to kick the animal off his dog. When the mountain lion attempted to approach him again, the man shot and killed it. The incident followed an uptick of sightings in the area, which is a mountain lion habitat, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "The shooting was in self-defense, so no citations were issued," Game and Fish spokesperson Michael Colaianni wrote in an email. "We typically say that if your life or the life of someone else is in danger, you have every right to defend yourself." Mountain lions can be legally hunted with a tag from Game and Fish. A person who kills a mountain lion that is not threatening or who kills without a tag could face any of several violations, according to the department. Those could include unlawful taking of wildlife, taking out of season, or taking without a tag, which bring criminal penalties. There had been "an uptick in sightings" in the area before the May 25 encounter, but it could have been the same mountain lion seen repeatedly, Colaianni said. No sightings have been reported to Game and Fish since. The department says online that mountain lion habitat is shrinking as a result of urban sprawl, which can increase human and lion conflicts. "We would like those living on the outskirts or up against wilderness areas to keep in mind that these types of interactions with wildlife are still extremely rare, but are indeed possible," Colaianni said. If someone encounters a mountain lion, the department says humans should: Not approach the lion, as most will try to avoid confrontation and try to escape. Stay calm and speak loudly and firmly. Do not run, which could stimulate a mountain lion's chase instinct. Stand and face the animal while making eye contact. Try to convince the mountain lion you are not easy prey, and might be dangerous. Make yourself appear larger by raising your arms or opening a jacket if you are wearing one. Throw stones or anything you can reach without turning around or crouching. Wave your arms slowly. Maintain eye contact and slowly back away toward a building, vehicle or busy area. If the lion attacks, fight back. The animal usually tries to bite the head or neck, so remain standing and face it. Game and Fish said people have fought off attacks using everything from their bare hands to mountain bikes. The department said its annual average population estimate of mountain lions in Arizona was about 2,900 for the years between 2004 and 2020. But because the animals have a wide range and cryptic behavior, they are hard to count. So the department makes an estimate based on the age of the animals when they are hunted or killed. Mountain lions are not considered endangered or threatened. Any mountain lion attack should be reported to 911, according to Game and Fish. Encounters, attacks, sightings or any property damage should also be reported to Arizona Game and Fish dispatch at 623-236-7201. The line is staffed 24/7 year-round. Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at or 480-416-5669. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: A man killed a mountain lion in Buckeye. Is that legal?
