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When Erin Wilson was attacked by a mountain lion while traversing California’s Trinity River area back in May, her two-year-old Belgian Malinois, Eva, leaped to her defense and eventually warded off the rampaging big cat.
Unfortunately, Eva picked up a number of serious injuries during the confrontation, and a month later, it seems that her wounds were just too much to bear.
“My dog is my hero, and I owe her my life,” Wilson said after the attack. Sadly, Eva the hero dog passed away after weeks of medical care on June 6th, 2022.
A Vicious Attack
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The mountain lion attack happened while Wilson was walking Eva near Trinity River in Norther California. Eva was walking ahead off leash when the big cat leaped at Wilson, tearing her jacket and scratching her shoulder.
Eva charged the mountain lion and began fighting with it. Eventually, “the cat latched on to her skull.”
With the help of another woman who was nearby, Wilson was able to get the cat to release its grip, and Eva managed to escape to Wilson’s truck.
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Eva suffered two scull fractures and a punctured sinus cavity, and she was having convulsions on the way to the emergency vet. While her caretakers were optimistic that she would survive, she sadly succumbed to her injuries weeks later.
“We said goodbye at 9:20 this morning,” begins a post breaking the sad news on an Instagram account run by Wilson.
“There were no changes to her condition overnight. Goodbye my beautiful sweet girl. You are my world, my light, my best friend. The world is a much darker place.”
At the time of writing, an online fundraising effort originally launched to help out with Eva’s injuries has currently raised over $35,000.
Keeping Your Own Dog Safe This Summer
(Picture Credit: Marcia Straub/Getty Images)As the summer season is upon us, Eva’s story is a timely reminder that it’s important to make sure that your own dog stays safe while exploring the outdoors.
DogTime has a full guide on what to do if you encounter wild animals like snakes, coyotes, and mountain lions here! Check it out, and make sure you’re keeping your dog out of danger.
Some of the other key considerations to remember include:
- Only let your dog swim in safe bodies of water — and always avoid water where blue-green algae is present.
- Make sure you use a dog-approved sunscreen if you’re outdoors under the sun for long periods of time.
- Always watch out for signs that your dog might be overheating.
- In general, it’s best to stay in the shade and always make sure that fresh water is available to your dog.
Have you heard about any other heroic dogs lately? What sort of heroic feats do you imagine your own dog would be capable of? Let us know in the comments below!
