Man punches cougar to save dachshund from attack

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — A man went head-to-head with a cougar after it attacked his mini dachshund, ABC News reported.

"I see something out of the corner of my eye and a cougar jumped out about 10 to 15 away and just snatched the dog," Shawn Hanson, 38, of Victoria, British Columbia told ABC News. "It put her paw down and her mouth around her (Bailey's) neck and started dragging her. She (Bailey) was making really loud yelping noises like I'd never heard before."

Hanson was camping with friends when they decided to go fishing over the Fourth of July weekend. When he returned to the campsite, he said a female cougar had grabbed Bailey, his 1-year-old dog, and pulled it into the bushes.

So, Hanson ran after the cougar to save his dog’s life. After chasing the cougar and his dog, Hanson said he lunged at the animal, grabbing a handful of her skin. He then punched the cougar in the face.

Worried that the cougar may return to the campsite, Hanson went to see if she had taken off, with his shotgun in hand for protection.

He shot a warning shot after seeing it again. When the cougar didn’t leave, Hanson made the decision to put the animal down. He then notified local police and conservation officers.

Conservation officers, Hanson said, informed him that the cougar was a 1-year-old, 50-to-60 pound female.

Hanson said that other than several puncture wounds and damage to a gland in her neck, Bailey is doing well after treatment at Manzini Animal Hospital in Port Alberni.

Read the full story on ABC News here.

WSOC