Mountain Lion Attacks Boulder Dog, Family Shares Tragedy to Aid Others

A Tragic Encounter with a Mountain Lion

A family in Boulder, Colorado, recently experienced a harrowing encounter with a mountain lion that left their dog dead and their lives forever changed. Taulere and Arrone Appel shared their story with FOX31 after witnessing the attack on their 10-pound dog, Bodhi, during a nightly walk.

Bodhi was more than just a pet; he was their beloved family member. The Appels described how, on July 25, around 9 p.m., they took Bodhi for his usual walk in the 2400 block of Balsam Avenue. They had a flashlight and kept Bodhi on a leash, as they always did. However, the situation took a terrifying turn when the mountain lion appeared out of nowhere.

“It was dark, we had the flashlight,” Taulere said. “He was wrapped with the leash. We were on the sidewalk across the street, and we always walked that way. All of a sudden, it just appeared at where we were standing, and it just happened.”

Within three minutes of the walk, the mountain lion attacked. Arrone recalled the moment: “He grabbed him, and he started pulling him away, and I still had the leash. I was holding on to the leash, and I’m watching this and I’m yelling, and he started running with him in his mouth. And I knew I couldn’t get too close because I’d be next.”

The Appels hope that their experience will serve as a warning to others in the community. They emphasize the importance of awareness, especially since the mountain lion is still in the area. “I think to honor him and the way he was, that’s important,” Arrone said. “And it’s important for me and Taulere because we don’t want anyone to have to go through this. We’re afraid for the children because if you put your baby out in your yard or something, you think you’re safe. I mean, we don’t want to scare people, but we want them to be aware.”

Kara Van Hoose from Colorado Parks and Wildlife responded to the incident. She explained that her team tried to locate the mountain lion the next day with the goal of tranquilizing and relocating it. However, the location made it too difficult and unsafe to proceed. “We are still monitoring and hoping that people will report sightings of this mountain lion to us so we can have another crack at relocation,” she said.

Van Hoose also highlighted that mountain lions are most active between dusk and dawn. She warned that if these animals learn that dogs are easy targets, they may repeat the behavior. “Mountain lions are big and powerful. It could be really a dog of any size. I’ve seen lions take down alpacas. You know, it’s not necessarily a matter of size, but of access. So if you do let your dog out at night just kind of into the backyard by itself, we really recommend that before doing that, you either leash the dog and take it with you or you make those sounds.”

The Boulder Police Department was the first to report the attack and provided tips for residents on how to protect themselves from mountain lions. Residents can also report sightings to CPW’s Denver office by calling 303-297-1192.

This tragic event serves as a reminder of the dangers that can exist in nature, even in familiar surroundings. The Appels’ story highlights the need for vigilance and awareness, especially when walking pets in areas known to have wildlife. Their experience underscores the importance of taking precautions to ensure the safety of both humans and animals.