These pics came from a guy in Arizona. Yes, the mule killed the mountain lion. The lion had been stalking them for the better part of the morning, on the way out to a hunt. They were pretty sure it was after one of the dogs. The cat ambushed them, and the mule pictured tossed its rider and went into attack (defense) mode, the horses scattered and shots were fired but no one was sure if they hit the cat or not. Unfortunately, it wasn't until it was almost over that one of the guys started snapping pics. The mule finally stomped the cougar to death after biting and throwing it around like a rag doll. The dogs wouldn't even come close until the mule settled down.
The cat was still alive here and trying to fight back
The mule stomped the cat then pinned it to the ground and bit the heck out of the dead cat several more times.
The cat was pretty much dead by now then mule picked up the cat again whipped it into the air again then stomped the dead cat again for good measure!
Mule Attacks Mountain Lion
Analysis
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Comments: Urban Legends: Thus far, we have received reports that the preceding photos were taken in Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, and Montana. It can't be all four, obviously, so prudence dictates that we take the various anecdotes accompanying these images with a grain of salt — including the claim that the mule attacked and killed the mountain lion, which frankly appears lifeless throughout the series of photographs (see update below).
Those issues aside, the American Donkey and Mule Society says the images could be authentic and do show "exactly the mode of attack a mule or donkey would use" in fending off a predator (both have been known to attack dogs in this fashion). "While we are neither supporting nor condemning the photos," the ADMS Website says, "we do believe them to be a true depiction of what a mule or donkey would do faced with the situation of a predator invading their territory."
2005 Update: According to Steven Richards of Western Mule Magazine, the incident documented in the photographs actually took place in southwestern New Mexico in 2002 or 2003. The mule, named Berry, is owned by a hunter named Jody Anglin. Contrary to email reports, the mountain lion was already dead when Berry the mule "attacked" it, according to Anglin.
The cat was still alive here and trying to fight back
The mule stomped the cat then pinned it to the ground and bit the heck out of the dead cat several more times.
The cat was pretty much dead by now then mule picked up the cat again whipped it into the air again then stomped the dead cat again for good measure!
Mule Attacks Mountain Lion
Analysis
More of this Feature
• Email Examples
• Image #1
• Image #2
• Image #3
• Image #4
Comments: Urban Legends: Thus far, we have received reports that the preceding photos were taken in Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, and Montana. It can't be all four, obviously, so prudence dictates that we take the various anecdotes accompanying these images with a grain of salt — including the claim that the mule attacked and killed the mountain lion, which frankly appears lifeless throughout the series of photographs (see update below).
Those issues aside, the American Donkey and Mule Society says the images could be authentic and do show "exactly the mode of attack a mule or donkey would use" in fending off a predator (both have been known to attack dogs in this fashion). "While we are neither supporting nor condemning the photos," the ADMS Website says, "we do believe them to be a true depiction of what a mule or donkey would do faced with the situation of a predator invading their territory."
2005 Update: According to Steven Richards of Western Mule Magazine, the incident documented in the photographs actually took place in southwestern New Mexico in 2002 or 2003. The mule, named Berry, is owned by a hunter named Jody Anglin. Contrary to email reports, the mountain lion was already dead when Berry the mule "attacked" it, according to Anglin.
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