A shocking video footage shows a mountain lion attacking a dog in a California home backyard on the night of Saturday, February 10.
The 3-year-old Giant Schnauzer, named Holly Jolly, was seen on the home’s surveillance cameras stepping out for a bathroom break around 9:00 PM when the cougar suddenly appeared, the New York Post reports.
In the upsetting footage, Holly is seen standing alert while the cougar approaches the pooch. And before Holly could escape, the predator immediately pounced on the pooch.
Holly’s owners, Steve and Nicole, recounts the story to KTLA saying, “We heard a yelping 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.’”
The couple said that after realizing that the horrific sounds they heard were coming from their backyard, they started yelling enough to startle the mountain lion.
This gave Holly enough time to finally break free from the mountain lion and run to safety.
Steve said, “As soon as I heard how fierce the battle was, I was like there’s no way.”
“I was imagining like a skunk or something back here that she was just messing with, so then I went in and grabbed a gun,” he continued.
By the time Steve got back, the mountain lion had disappeared into the night. However, KTLA reports that the mountain lion actually went back to the couple’s backyard, presumably, to look for Holly again.
As for Holly, she has been treated by the vet for the puncture wounds and scratches she got from the incident. She was also stitched for an injury she got around her back.
Nicole said, “She’s enjoying all the extra love, all the extra treats, all the extra attention.” Adding, “She’s loving it right now.”
After the incident, Steve reveals that he plans to accompany Holly during her nightly bathroom breaks in the backyard to make sure she’s safe.
The couple also reveals that the area they live in is filled with wildlife, like bears, coyotes, rattlesnakes, and mountain lions. But this is the first time that a cougar has ever come close.
Last year, a small, elderly dog from California also had a similar experience with Holly. But this time, the dog saved his baby brother from coyotes that entered their home’s backyard.