Mama moose with a calf charges dogs, injuring their owners, Montana rescuers say
A couple walking their dogs were injured when a mama moose with a calf charged after the pets, Montana fire rescuers say.
Red Lodge Fire Rescue said they got a call about the injured couple the morning of Thursday, Sept. 18, rescuers said in a Facebook post.
As the couple walked their dogs, they came across a cow moose, calf and bull moose, rescuers said.
The cow moose believed “the dogs to be a threat to the calf” and chased the canines, according to rescuers.
The encounter injured the couple, who rescuers say were taken to a nearby medical clinic for treatment.
Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, which will further investigate the incident, according to rescuers.
“Moose look like peaceful animals, but like all wildlife, they can be dangerous when they believe they or their young are threatened,” rescuers said.
People should keep a distance from wild animals, ensuring “dogs are under control in areas frequented by wildlife, as dogs may be viewed as a threat,” rescuers said.
With fall approaching, rescuers urged that it is “an especially active time for wildlife.”
“Moose and other ungulates are involved in their breeding season and bears are in hyperphagia, the time when they are consuming thousands of calories to prepare for winter,” rescuers said.
Red Lodge is about a 60-mile drive southwest from Billings.
What to know about moose
Moose are protective animals and will “defend themselves if they perceive a threat,” according to the National Park Service.
If someone encounters a moose, they should give it space to leave, wildlife officials said. People shouldn’t try to haze a moose to move out of the way.
“Don’t be aggressive,” the National Park Service said. “You want to convince the moose that you aren’t a threat.”
Wildlife officials said people should do the following if you see a moose:
- Stay undetected if the moose hasn’t spotted you.
- Talk softly and move slowly.
- If the moose charges, take cover and put something between you and the moose or run
