Utah Dog Fights Off Mountain Lion, Endures Over 30 Bites to Protect Her Family
It was just another peaceful day in the Michaelis family’s backyard in Cedar Hills, Utah. The sun was shining, the kids were playing, and everything seemed perfect.
But Ella, the family’s seven-year-old yellow Labrador, wasn’t enjoying the moment like everyone else. Something felt off, and she knew it.
Her body was tense, her ears were up, and a soft growl came from deep in her chest. She kept backing up, eyes flicking between the bushes and the family.
It seemed Ella was picking up on something no one else could. The whole place just felt off.
Crystal Michaelis, the kids’ mom, noticed the dog’s strange behavior right away. Ella wasn’t her usual, happy-go-lucky self.
Her eyes were locked on the bushes and her growl was growing louder. Crystal could feel that something wasn’t right. Even the kids could sense it.
Concerned, Crystal called the kids inside. And then it happened: a huge mountain lion showed up in the yard.
Ella instantly rushed in and positioned herself between her family and the wild predator, ready to fight and protect her people. Her courage was nothing short of incredible.
As Crystal ushered her kids into the house, she could hear the sounds of Ella battling the big cat behind her. Her heart raced, knowing Ella was keeping them safe, putting herself in harm’s way without a second thought.
When Crystal finally got the door open and saw Ella, her heart sank. The poor dog was covered in blood, her fur torn and matted from the brutal fight, as Crystal shared in a YouTube video:
“(I) found Ella just bloodied. There’s blood all over the door and all over the patio.”
It was a sight no one should ever have to see, but there was no mistaking it: Ella had taken on a mountain lion to protect her family.
Ella had been bitten over 30 times. Her body was full of deep wounds, stretching across her shoulders, neck, and face.
Crystal could hardly believe what she was seeing. Tears filled her eyes as she knelt beside Ella, gently stroking her head and thanking her for her bravery.
The family had no idea how close they’d come to disaster. Without Ella’s quick thinking and courage, things could have been so much worse.
Officers from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources later confirmed that the mountain lion had been attracted to the area by nearby goats. It had wandered too close, and Ella had done what any hero would do – protect her loved ones.
Crystal spoke of her courage with so much love, sharing:
“She never let down and stayed in that protective stance and defended.”
Ella’s bravery wasn’t just about fighting off the mountain lion. It was about her deep love and devotion to the people who mattered most to her.
The Michaelis family knows, without a doubt, that Ella is their hero, their protector, and their best friend. No matter what happens, she’ll always be there, ready to stand guard and keep them safe.
And they are endlessly grateful for that.
