Rabid lion in AZ

[Emily]

From the Prescott Daily Courier
http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?Sectio ... eID=106279


Rabid lion attacks dog in remote area
The Daily Courier


A mountain lion that attacked a dog in a remote area southeast of Cordes Junction tested positive for rabies Monday, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

The lion attacked a 90-pound lab-pit bull mix at a campsite on the Tonto National Forest near Bloody Basin Road and the Agua Fria River, just north of Horseshoe Reservoir, according to the Game and Fish Department.

Reports of rabid lions are rare in Arizona. The last one confirmed was in 2008 in Yavapai County, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Campers shot and killed the young male lion before it could inflict life-threatening injuries on the dog, said Lynda Lambert of Game and Fish. The dog is current on its rabies vaccine, too.

Yavapai Humane Society is reminding pet owners that they can have their pets vaccinated against rabies any Friday at the YHS Wellness Clinic, 2989 Centerpointe in Prescott. No appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, call 445-2666.

[Emily]

Another version of the story, with some colorful details. Click on links for pix. The dog looks like a plott to me, even though its described as a lab X pit mix.

http://www.azfamily.com/news/Mountain-l ... 94995.html

Mountain lion that attacked Arizona campers had rabies

by Andrew Michalscheck
azfamily.com
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 4:16 PM
Updated Wednesday, May 9 at 4:21 PM

Related:
Rabid mountain lion attacks Arizona man and his dog
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TONTO NATIONAL FOREST, Ariz. -- A mountain lion that attacked a group of campers and their dog last week has tested positive for rabies.
The attack took place last Friday as four campers were having breakfast in a remote area of the Tonto National Forest along the Verde River.
The mountain lion surprised the group when it ran out of the bushes and began fighting with their pit bull and Labrador retriever mix.
The owner of the dog hit the mountain lion in the head with an iron skillet, while another camper shot the animal in the head with a pistol.
The group called the Arizona Game and Fish Department, who transported the mountain lion carcass to the Arizona State Health Laboratory for disease testing.
On Monday, tests confirmed that the mountain lion was rabid.
The dog suffered several puncture wounds and scratches that were not life threatening. While the dog is current on its vaccinations, it has still been placed under quarantine as a precaution.
None of the campers was bitten or scratched by the mountain lion.
Officials say the incident is a reminder that you can never be too careful while out in the wilderness.
“People need to pack up a good dose of common sense when they head out into the outdoors. If a wild animal is coming around, stay away from it,” said Will Humble, Arizona Department of Health Services director.
For more information about Arizona’s wildlife, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s website www.AZGFD.com.