Allie, a Welsh corgi, was the Mullen’s family pet for nearly a decade before it was attacked and killed last week at their Steiner Ranch home by what their veterinarian suspects was a large wild or exotic cat such as a mountain lion or puma.
By KIM ESTES, Four Points News
A family dog was killed Thursday in the Hills of West Ridge subdivision of Steiner Ranch. Residents are warned it appears to be the work of a wild or exotic big cat.
Doug Mullen, owner of a 9 ½-year-old Welsh corgi named Allie, says, “My daughter found her savaged in our backyard early Thursday morning.”
“The main thing now is to get information out, especially to parents of small children as well as all pet owners. It appears the attack was by a big cat — a mountain lion or puma.”
Janet Roush, DVM, owner of Stay at Home Veterinary Care, examined Allie’s body and reports, “The width between the fangs was about four-and-a-half to five centimeters, proving the predator to be very big. Coyote fangs are about two-and-a-half centimeters apart.” Coyotes have been seen and heard often in Steiner Ranch.
Furthermore, Roush said, the incision was at the ribs and into the chest and abdomen. Coyotes attack at the hind end and in packs, leaving more wounds.
Mullen’s 17-year-old daughter, Lauren, let Allie out at about 6:15 a.m., Thursday. She called for her minutes later, but the dog did not come. Lauren got a flashlight and went outside to bring her in, but instead found the slain animal two feet from the back wall.
