Dog survived vicious mountain lion attack on road to recovery

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KSBW) – A dog owner in California said his pet was viciously attacked by a mountain lion, but feels it was love that helped her through the healing process.

Richard Baker said his dog Bella went outside and returned about 30 minutes later covered in bite marks all over her body, even one that pierced her skull.

“The cut on her neck was above her ear and around the throat,” Baker said. ‘It was millimeters away from her jugular vein – that’s what the doctor said. This was amazing, the cat didn’t tear it open. Millimeters are quite small.”

Bella was taken from Baker’s home in the mountains to vets at a 24-hour emergency clinic in critical condition.

With severe wounds, Bella was nearly septic and her chance of survival was low.

“My first reaction, to be honest, was, I don’t know if I can save her,” said veterinarian Nick Macy.

“She has that fighter instinct,” Baker said, adding that her family’s love helped her fight.

Such wound care is a long process. She is still dealing with a lingering infection, but she is making an excellent recovery.

Her vet is hopeful that she will make a full recovery by mid-November.