These are some pictures that were taken after a mountain lion decided it would stalk a couple's hunting dogs. Their mule objected. Thanks to Ana for the pics. If anyone knows where they are from, please let me know so I can credit the photog.
Snopes has since debunked part of the story. He says the pictures are accurate but the description is not -- the cougar was already dead. Still, slinging a dead cougar around is pretty unusual behavior for a mule.
Whatever the problem was, it's really sad that they couldn't just burro the hatchet.
Posted by: Julie | September 21, 2005 at 12:40 PM
Sorry. I made an ass of myself.
Posted by: Julie | September 21, 2005 at 12:42 PM
If you're a lion, you're a-dyin
Posted by: gail | September 21, 2005 at 12:42 PM
I ain't lion. I wouldn't wanna be saddled with that reputation.
HEY! That ain't Johnny Cougar gettin' kilt, is it?
Posted by: Julie | September 21, 2005 at 12:44 PM
I can't think of a pun at the moment but those are some crazy photos. The donkey is not known for its ability to kill predatory cats.
Posted by: Hoodlumman | September 21, 2005 at 12:45 PM
Well, a mule is more like a horse than a donkey. They can get pretty big. But still, you don't think of them as being so purposefully aggressive. You'd expect it to kick and run not stand and fight.
Posted by: gail | September 21, 2005 at 12:54 PM
And I love the placid look on its face.
Posted by: gail | September 21, 2005 at 12:56 PM
I always have a placid look on my face when I kill someone.
Posted by: Julie | September 21, 2005 at 12:57 PM
No fake, Julie.
Posted by: Scott P | September 21, 2005 at 01:16 PM
I wonder if that was Clay Henry the Beer Drinking Mayor of Lajitas
I split a corona with him once, but I stipulate that I drank my half first.
Posted by: Rob B. | September 21, 2005 at 01:24 PM
Now Scott, have you ever actually witnessed me killing?
Posted by: Julie | September 21, 2005 at 01:48 PM
I've seen security camera footage, Julie, but it's a bit grainy...
Posted by: Scott P | September 21, 2005 at 02:26 PM
Boy, this internet scam again?
The true story behind this is the mule and cougar were members of "Wild Wilbert's Wild West Animal Show" back in the early 1960s and were trained to do this very act, an alleged reenactment of some famous mule/cougar fight near modern day Missoula Montana.
Anyway, they did this show for years until Wilbert was arrested for interstate transportation of a minor for immoral purposes.
I'm sorry I had to be the one to break this to you.
Posted by: bob | September 21, 2005 at 03:21 PM
I like the way the cougar pretends to have a broken neck!
Posted by: gail | September 21, 2005 at 03:35 PM
Can you imagine how hard that was to train?
Posted by: bob | September 21, 2005 at 04:04 PM
I dunno, I've seen camels that look like they could have kicked some butt...
Posted by: Major John | September 21, 2005 at 05:07 PM
Come on, Princess, you can do it. Move your spine a little more to the left and your head a little more to the right. Do it for a Kitty Treat!
Posted by: gail | September 21, 2005 at 05:08 PM
Camels probably just do it with their breath.
Posted by: gail | September 21, 2005 at 05:10 PM
Hey, we've got a Llama link!
Posted by: gail | September 21, 2005 at 05:17 PM
Thanks Ana
Posted by: gail | September 21, 2005 at 05:55 PM
Oooooo. Llama Llinky Llove. Llove the Llinky Llamas. Where's Lloyd when you need 'im?
Posted by: Ana | September 21, 2005 at 08:15 PM
http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/mulelion.asp
Posted by: prairie biker | September 21, 2005 at 09:08 PM
Snopes says the pictures are real but the story is BS. According to them the cat was shot dead and just got agressive over time with the bodies. Whatever happened - this is amazing footage.
Leigh -- sorry I didn't notice your comment till now. The story is in my archives, and I haven't checked it in awhile. You're right, Snopes has partially debunked this, but the pics are great and the behavior is pretty bizarre regardless.
Posted by: Leigh | April 16, 2006 at 12:53 AM
Yep the pictures are real but the truth is that the cougar was dead by the time the mule was flipping it around. Cougars are very strong fighters. But it still is amazing that the mule was so agressive when it came to the cougar. I get a kick out of the two dogs peering from the background.
Sydney -- I've updated the story and linked to Snopes. I had read Snopes's article a long time ago, but forgot about my own post since it kind of disappeared into my archives.
Posted by: Sydney | October 09, 2006 at 03:06 PM
I RAN ACROSS A VERSION REGARDING THE ORIGIN OF THIS, AND IT STATED THAT MANY PARTIES CLAIM THAT THEY WERE THE PHOTOGS. I,LL SEE IF I CAN BRING IT UP AGAIN,I DIDN'T GET THE ADDRESS DUE TO NO PICS BEING DISPLAYED
THERE WAS ANOTHER, MULY VS. MOUNTAIN LION,
WWW.medinacountyohc.com monthly newsletter jan 05 pg 4
Posted by: ken | November 13, 2006 at 05:59 AM