On Monday, Aug. 19, a dog was attacked by a mountain lion in the early morning in Parshall after the dog’s owners let her out to use the bathroom. Fortunately for the dog, she is expected to make a full recovery.

Brooks is a 4-year-old heeler and collie mix who only weighs about 25 pounds, according to owner Shelby Price. Price explained that her partner, Roger Ryburn, typically lets Brooks out every morning around 6 a.m.

Price and Ryburn were jolted awake after hearing animal cries. The two rushed outside to a scene of confusion and found their dog injured. Ryburn was able to see the mountain lion running off, leaving behind paw prints in the dirt.

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The dog sustained injuries to her head and body and was immediately taken to the vet by her owners. According to Price, she thinks that Brooks was able to get away and run between some horse fence paneling, which confused the mountain lion long enough to get away.

“I think what saved her life was, she went underneath that panel and around the chicken house and then kind of back to the house,” Price said. “The mountain lion was focused on how to get through the panels and didn’t think to go over or under, so it gave her enough time to get away.”

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By the time a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officer responded to the scene, there was no sign of the mountain lion.

Since the encounter, Price says that she’s grateful to still have her dog.

Price spent many of her younger years in Grand County and remembers never thinking of mountain lions as serious threats. Price said that she was one of those people who thought “it probably won’t happen to us when we let our dog out, right in our yard.”

However, now she’s hoping that sharing her story will help save someone to avoid what happened to Brooks.

“It really turns your emotions upside down. Suddenly, I just feel sick that I put my dog in that position,” Price said.

Price has noticed some behavioral changes in her dog. Brooks is a working dog, usually seen right next to Price as she works around the ranch. Price has recently undertaken the goal of creating a lavender farm and is often working to make her dream a reality, with her dog by her side.

However, since the attack, Price says that she’s been much more shy and withdrawn.

“She goes out in the yard and she cowers and hides under vehicles. She’s afraid to go out,” Price said.

By sharing this story, Price is hoping that it will help keep other dogs in Grand County safe.

She has also been critical of Initiative 91, which would ban mountain lion hunting if passed, on social media since the encounter.

“One of our biggest things is, how do we educate people who have these emotions that love these animals?” Price said. “We’re all the same. We want deer, we want elk, we want the mountain lions. Everything has a place. But how do we work together, and how do we leave it in the hands of the professionals?”

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking that the public report any mountain lion activity around developed areas, and is continuing to stress the importance of protecting pets from wildlife.

Some tips for minimizing pet-wildlife conflicts include:

• Always supervising pets when outside, especially at dawn or dusk.
• Never leaving pets outside or leave pet food outside.
• Never leaving dogs or cats unattended outside after dark.

More tips are available online at CPW.State.CO.US/Protecting-Pets-Wildlife.