According to KSL TV News, on July 19, a Labrador retriever from Cedar Hills, Utah, fought a mountain lion to defend his family. The dog was seriously injured but survived the incident.

Ella, a 7-year-old yellow lab, observed the mountain lion when Crystal Michaelis and her children were playing outside in the backyard. Michaelis did not see the mountain lion, but she saw Ella behaving abnormally and looking back and forth from the children towards the place where the mountain lion was hiding.

”She kept looking towards the children, then quickly looked back,” Michaelis said. “She was just being careful, and that worried my daughter.”

Michaelis finally brought her children inside. Ella had significant injuries to her head, face, legs, tongue and neck as they walked back to the patio door. “Ella was completely bloodied when we opened the back door. Michaelis said “”There was blood all over the door and the terrace.”

Although the family was not there during the battle, the authorities of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources discovered mountain lion footprints leading to the place. The mountain lion may have been distracted by nearby goats in a neighbor’s yard and got too close to the Michaelis’ house, according to wildlife authorities.

The Utah DWR has not recorded any new sightings of the mountain lion, but has advised residents to be vigilant and cautious. “They have also spotted deer traveling in this area, and since deer are the main food source for cougars, they will frequently track where the deer are going”” DWR public relations manager Faith Jolley noted.

Ella was bitten about 30 times, all from the shoulders up. ”Which indicates that she never gave up and defended this protective posture,” Michaelis told reporters. Despite her injuries, Ella is expected to make a full recovery.

Watch the video below to learn more about the story: