Outdoor photography trips rarely turn into hand-to-hand combat with an apex predator. But for Adam Borkhus, a 320-pound Army veteran from Cody, Wyoming, a quiet evening drive to snap pictures of elk near the South Fork Road area changed in a split second. His two-year-old Labrador retriever, Diesel, yelped in heavy cover near the Deer Creek Trailhead. Borkhus didn't hesitate. He ran straight into the thicket to find a juvenile mountain lion clamped directly onto his dog.
What followed was a brutal twenty-second struggle that highlights how quickly wilderness encounters can turn violent, and why knowing how to react when a wild cat attacks matters.
The Reality of Close Quarters Wildlife Conflicts
Most people assume carrying a sidearm or bear spray guarantees safety in grizzly country. Borkhus had both. He brought a pistol and bear spray because grizzly bears roam the region. Yet, tactical gear becomes useless when your pet is tangled directly beneath a wild animal. Firing a weapon risked hitting Diesel, so Borkhus relied on pure physical force. He booted the mountain lion to pull its attention away from the dog.
That kick worked immediately, but it shifted the target onto him. The cat struck his chest and knocked him flat onto his back. At six-foot-three and 320 pounds, Borkhus expected his size to overwhelm the predator. Instead, he learned firsthand why mountain lions command respect.
"He hit me in the chest and put me right down. That thing was strong," Borkhus noted.
The juvenile cat weighed roughly seventy pounds, yet its explosive power caught a seasoned military veteran completely off guard. For twenty agonizing seconds, Borkhus fought to keep the animal's jaws away from his face and neck while punching back with his free hand. Eventually, the cat broke contact and vanished into the brush.
What Wildlife Authorities Say About Mountain Lion Encounters
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department investigated the incident and classified it as a classic surprise encounter. Heavy cover and poor visibility likely caused the juvenile lion to react defensively rather than stalk a human intentionally. Wildlife biologists emphasize that mountain lions are notoriously elusive. They rely on stealth and ambush tactics, making accidental close encounters rare but dangerous.
If you recreate in lion habitat, park rangers recommend following specific protocols:
- Never hike alone: Groups create enough noise to alert predators and deter surprise meetings.
- Stand your ground: Running triggers a cat's instinctual chase response. Speak firmly, look big, and back away slowly.
- Fight back aggressively: If a mountain lion attacks, do not play dead. Strike back at its face and eyes with anything available.
Aftermath and Dog Resilience
Borkhus escaped with deep scratches on his face, hands, and arms that required medical attention, including a tetanus booster, antibiotics, and a precautionary series of rabies shots. Diesel, amazingly, walked away without significant injuries.
Dogs often change after a traumatic attack, becoming anxious or reactive. Diesel showed zero hesitation or stress. Once the threat vanished, the Labrador trotted straight back to the vehicle, jumped inside, and waited for his owner. When asked if the dog's personality shifted, Borkhus laughed and said Diesel went right back to being his usual self.
Wilderness adventures carry inherent risks. Preparation helps, but raw instinct often dictates survival when things go sideways. Keep your guard up, stay aware of your surroundings, and never underestimate what a seventy-pound cat can do when cornered.
