Dog Survives Mountain Lion Attack in California Backyard — Watch!

A 3-year-old giant schnauzer named Holly Jolly dodged a near-fatal run-in with a big cat

A family in La Verne, Calif. is grateful their dog is alive after the canine was viciously attacked by a mountain lion.

Steve and Nicole, the owners of a 3-year-old giant black schnauzer named Holly Jolly, spoke to KTLA about the incident, which was captured on camera thanks to home surveillance.

“We heard a yelping and my husband said, ‘Is that Holly?’ and I said, ‘No, I think that’s the television,’ and he said, ‘No, I think that’s Holly,’” Nicole explained in the interview that was published on Monday.

It didn’t take long for the couple to agree that the cries were not coming from their TV, but instead from their backyard.

They began yelling out to the wild animal just enough to startle it, allowing Holly Jolly to break free and run to safety.

Related: California Dog Spotted 'Playing' and Chasing Mountain Lion in Owner's Yard — Watch!

“As soon as I heard how fierce the battle was, I was like there’s no way,” Steve said. “I was imagining like a skunk or something back here that she was just messing with, so then I went in and grabbed a gun.”

The uninvited guest was gone once Steve retrieved his firearm, however, it did come back about 20 minutes later. KTLA noted that the feline may have been returning to finish off its wounded prey.

La Verne is located in Los Angeles county.

Steve and Nicole told the news station that while wildlife such as bears, coyotes, rattlesnakes and mountain lions have been known to frequent the area, they had never seen a cougar come that close to their home.

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Holly Jolly’s owners quickly got her to the veterinarian, where she was treated for puncture wounds, scratches and an injury that required stitches. She is recovering well and happy to feel the love of her family.

“She’s enjoying all the extra love, all the extra treats, all the extra attention,” Nicole told KTLA. “She’s loving it right now."

Still shocked that the incident occurred, the couple is now hoping that their neighbors in the gated community of Mountain Springs keep a lookout for the big cat so that pets or people alike aren’t injured.

“We wanted to let all of our neighbors know that this thing is out and bold enough to jump in yards and attack a dog almost the same size,” Steve said.

He added that from now on, when Holly Jolly goes out at night to use the bathroom in their backyard, he’ll be right by her side.

Related: Sherman the Border Collie Survives Terrifying Mountain Lion Attack Inside California Home: Watch!

According to the National Park Service, if you ever come face-to-face with a mountain lion, you should never run from it because that “may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase.”

Instead, they advise that you never turn away from the wild animal, and try “to appear larger by raising your arms and opening your jacket if you are wearing one.”

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