KSLTV News reports that on July 19, a Labrador dog in Cedar Hills, Utah, fought off a mountain lion to save its family. Despite suffering horrific injuries, the dog lived to see one more day.

Ella, a 7-year-old yellow Laboratory, observed the mountain lion as Crystal Michaelis and her kids were playing in the yard. Michaelis didn’t see the mountain lion, but she did observe Ella acting oddly and shifting her attention back and forth between the youngsters and the mountain lion’s hiding place.

Michaelis said, “She maintained glancing towards the kids and then recalling so quickly. My child believed it was quite alarming although she was just being careful.

Michaelis finally brought her kids within. Ella’s head, face, legs, tongue, and neck were all severely cut as they reached the patio door.” Ella was covered in blood when we opened up the rear door. Michaelis said, “There was blood all over the entrance and the terrace.

Although the family was not there for the fight, mountain lion footprints leading to the site were discovered by Utah Department of Wildlife Resources officials. The mountain lion might have become sidetracked by some nearby goats in a next-door neighbor’s yard and strayed also near to the Michaelis’ house, according to wildlife officials.

Michaelis claimed, “She kept glancing towards the children and then looking back so quickly. My child believed it was quite alarming although she was just being careful.

Ella, a 7-year-old laboratory, suffered cuts on her head, neck, legs, her tongue, and has 30+ attacks on her body after protecting her family from a mountain lion in Cedar Hills. We’ll have this story tonight on @KSL5TV at 6:30. #ksltv pic.twitter.com/gTaA9I3Djk— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) July 20, 2022

Although the mountain lion has not been spotted again, the Utah DWR has issued a warning to locals to maintain vigilant and secure. Deer are cougars’ major food supply, so they regularly follow where deer go, according to DWR public relations policeman Faith Jolley. “They have actually also seen deer traveling via this area,” she said.

In total, Ella was bit more than 30 times, always starting from the shoulders. Michaelis told reporters, “Which implies she never gave up and remained in that safety position and protected it. Ella is anticipated to make a complete recovery in spite of her wounds.