The cat dialed back pressure through its crushing jaws, and the friend was able to pull away, fellow cyclists said in an interview one month after the incident east of Seattle.
A group of Seattle-area cyclists who helped one of their own escape the jaws of a cougar recounted their story this weekend, saying they fought the cat and pinned it down.
The woman who was attacked, Keri Bergere, sustained neck and face injuries and was treated at a hospital and released following the Feb. 17 incident on a trail northeast of Fall City, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a statement.
Bergere said she spent five days at an area hospital and was still recovering.
Fish and Wildlife Lt. Erik Olson called the actions of her fellow cyclists “heroic” in the statement. But the extent of the cyclists’ battle with the 75-pound cat wasn’t immediately clear then.
What that kill rate indicates is that cougars don’t attack unless they’re pretty damn sure they can not only win, but not be very injured in the process. Because injury = starvation for them. The only other case they’d attack humans is they’re really desperate, perhaps a female protecting her cubs, or all prey has been killed by fire, that kind of situation.
If a fully grown cougar gets the jump on you and you’re alone, you will likely lose. But if you are paying attention, see them and let them know they’ve lost the element of surprise, and make it clear you’re going to leave if they let you but fight if they attack, they probably won’t.
Of course if you’re hiking with your children or pets you should choose areas without known cougars, and keep them leashed close to you. Note: if you’re snack-size, you should bring bear spray, or your neighbors’ obnoxious kid who runs slower than you.