Wyoming Man Fights Off Mountain Lion Attacking Dog, Suffers Minor Injuries

A Wyoming man successfully defended his dog from a mountain lion attack by kicking the animal and then fighting it off with his bare hands. The incident occurred on Sept. 19 near Cody, Wyoming, when Adam Borkhus, an amateur wildlife photographer, stopped to change a camera lens and let his Labrador, Diesel, out of his vehicle.

Borkhus heard his dog yelp and discovered a mountain lion on top of Diesel. Unwilling to use his firearm or bear spray for fear of hitting his dog, Borkhus kicked the mountain lion in the face, dislodging it. The cougar then turned its attention to Borkhus, pouncing and knocking him to the ground.

During the struggle, Borkhus, who is 6-foot-3 and weighs approximately 300 pounds, managed to fend off the roughly 70-pound cat by keeping its teeth away from his face and neck and punching it. He eventually grabbed the animal's ear and twisted it, causing the mountain lion to retreat. The entire encounter lasted between 20 and 30 seconds.

Borkhus sustained scratches on his hands, arm, and face, while Diesel emerged from the attack unharmed. The dog reportedly retreated to the vehicle during the confrontation.

Officials from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department state that while conflicts between humans and mountain lions are uncommon, they advise individuals recreating in mountain lion territory to avoid approaching the animals and to remain calm if an encounter occurs. The department recommends speaking in a calm, firm voice and avoiding running. Traveling in groups is also suggested to minimize the chance of surprising a mountain lion. If an attack does happen, the advice is to fight back in self-defense.

According to Mountain Lion Foundation researcher Joshua Lisbon, keeping dogs leashed or under close voice control in the wilderness is recommended. If a mountain lion attacks a dog, Lisbon suggests using bear spray rather than engaging physically, even if the dog is sprayed in the process.