TWIN FALLS, Id (KMVT/KSVT) Tuesday a golden retriever was injured protecting his boy from a mountain lion in Buhl.

High school freshman Isaac Weaver was walking his dog Meeko when they came across a mountain lion hiding in the brush. The teen says that he turned and started to run when his dog went after the lion. The big cat swatted the dog and injured one of its legs, but the dog survived.

Josh Royse with Idaho Fish and Game said they’ve seen Mountain lions in the area before, it’s their habitat. Basic animal instinct when threatened is the fight or flight response. They will take the path of least resistance. The boy, Weaver believes his companion saved his life.

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