Colfax, California

From Sacramento’s KCRA.com of October 12, 2005

Mountain Lion Attacks Dog In Colfax

Residents Advised To Keep Pets Indoors

Some foothills residents are being advised to keep their pets indoors at night after a mountain lion nearly killed a dog. The attack happened in Colfax earlier this week.

The dog's owner tried to scare the cat away by firing a shotgun. When that didn't work, he shot the animal in the back. The mountain lion fled and the dog survived.

"It's truly amazing that not only did (the dog) live, but his wounds were pretty insignificant. He's lucky ... that's for sure," veterinarian Pam Pussich said.

The state Department of Fish and Game has given the dog's owner a temporary permit to shoot and kill the mountain lion if it returns.