PHOENIX (AP) — A mountain lion that ran through a group of Arizona campers and attacked their dog before being killed has tested positive for rabies.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department says the State Health Laboratory confirmed Monday that the lion was rabid.
The incident occurred in a remote area of the Tonto National Forest just downstream of Sheep Bridge along the Verde River.
Authorities say four campers were having breakfast in their camp at 6:30 a.m. Friday when a mountain lion ran out of the bushes and attacked their 90-pound pit bull and Labrador retriever mix.
The owner went to his dog's defense and hit the lion over the head with a cast iron skillet. Another member of the group then shot the lion in the head with a pistol.
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