USA: attacked by a puma, an 8-year-old boy defends himself and survives

"To well-born souls, value does not wait for the number of years." The popular maxim, drawn from Corneille's Cid, could apply literally to the story of Pike Carlson. On August 21, this 8-year-old American man miraculously survived a puma attack by defending himself as much as possible and with the means at hand.

That day, Pike and his older brother were playing in the backyard of their home in Bailey, Colorado when the cougar suddenly came out of nowhere and jumped on him.

With incredible courage, guided by an extraordinary instinct for survival, the little boy then defended himself, without even thinking: "I hit him and I tried to catch anything. I finally found a stick and I tried to put it in his eye, but he quickly broke, "he told the US media.

As his brother rushed inside the house to alert his parents, Pike and the animal continued their struggle, rolling up an embankment.

"Always protect your children"

Arriving there, Ron Carlson, the father, then attended a terrible scene: "He was on him, chewing. It made me fart, "recalls the father, who did not hesitate a second:" It did not occur to me that I was going to face something that could kill me. All I knew was that I had to do it. No matter what happens, you always have to protect your kids, "says Ron.

With a single penknife he is used to having on him, Ron is about to throw himself on the animal but at the moment he approached the puma and his son, the wild animal has let go and ran away.

Relative relief given the wounds left in battle. Pike was indeed unrecognizable, his face bleeding and the scalp torn off in several places.

When a mountain lion attacked his 8-yr-old sound, Ron Carlson grabbed a knife and ran towards the lion.

"His head was inside the lion's mouth." It does not matter what happens to you, you've got to protect your children. "

He saved his son's life # 9News pic.twitter.com/p0hS7Al2bX

– Marc Sallinger (@MarcSallinger) September 6, 2019

"It's something no parent should see," said dad, still very emotional.

Led to the hospital, Pike had to have an eyelid surgery and 60 stitches were needed. Today, fortunately, he is better and is recovering.

As for the cougar, he was euthanized the day after the attack. DNA tests had indeed confirmed that this was the same animal that had attacked the child.

"The cougar is a cheater. Let no one try to fight with him. It's a cheater, "concludes Pike, who, despite a few stigmas, smiles at life.