Cougar Attacks Horse in Aitkin Co.

By: Leslie Rolander 08/21/2012 The Associated Press

A horse owner whose 900-pound mare was attacked by a cougar wants other animal owners in Aitkin County to be on the lookout for the big cats.
Lori Hart's quarter horse Molly was mauled last week on her property north of Aitkin, [Minnesota]. Hart says the wild animal took a "big chunk" out of the horse's hind quarters.
Hart says a Pierz veterinarian confirmed Molly was attacked by a mountain lion or cougar and that there was a similar attack on a calf less than a month ago.
The Brainerd Dispatch reports Hart, who owns 15 horses, says the mare is doing well, but experiencing some swelling around the wound.
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It is nuts to encourage (through State protection) cougars to establish populations in a settled landscape like Minnesota. If a 900 lb. Mare and a calf are prey to be attacked, what of a child in the yard or going to/from a school bus or an old person going to/from a mailbox? Honest Minnesotans should tell the DNR to lift all protections of cougars and to discourage cougars from becoming established in Minnesota. There is nothing “right” about cougars in Minnesota and there is a plethora that is “wrong” about these animals living in the midst of human settlements as found in a place like Minnesota.

Those perpetrating this travesty, although held un-responsible and blameless (since they work for government) when the inevitable human harms occur, will nonetheless have a great deal to answer for one day.

Jim Beers
21 August 2012

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Jim Beers is a retired US Fish & Wildlife Service Wildlife Biologist, Special Agent, Refuge Manager, Wetlands Biologist, and Congressional Fellow. He was stationed in North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York City, and Washington DC. He also served as a US Navy Line Officer in the western Pacific and on Adak, Alaska in the Aleutian Islands. He has worked for the Utah Fish & Game, Minneapolis Police Department, and as a Security Supervisor in Washington, DC. He testified three times before Congress; twice regarding the theft by the US Fish & Wildlife Service of $45 to 60 Million from State fish and wildlife funds and once in opposition to expanding Federal Invasive Species authority. He resides in Eagan, Minnesota with his wife of many decades.

Jim Beers is available to speak or for consulting. You can receive future articles by sending a request with your e-mail address to: jimbeers7@comcast.net