Man vs. Mountain Lion: Runner Kills Animal 'in Self Defense' After It Attacks Him

A man says he killed a mountain lion in “self-defense” after the animal attacked him while he was out running in Colorado. 

The man, who was not named, was exercising at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space in Fort Collins Monday afternoon when the wild animal attacked him, biting his face and arm, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 

The man ended up killing the cat after he broke free from its grasp.

"The runner did everything he could to save his life," said Mark Leslie, Colorado Parks and Wildlife's northeast regional manager. "In the event of a lion attack you need to do anything in your power to fight back just as this gentleman did."

The man then went to a local hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The body of the mountain lion was later discovered by officials. Alongside it were several of the runner’s belongings, officials said.

"Mountain lion attacks are not common in Colorado and it is unfortunate that the lion’s hunting instincts were triggered by the runner," Ty Petersburg, area wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said. "This could have had a very different outcome."

RELATED STORIES