Boy saved from rabid mountain lion

[Hyunchback]

A rabid mountain lion was shot to death after attacking a 10-year-old boy as he and his family celebrated his birthday in a national forest near Phoenix, officials said.

Paul John Schalow of El Mirage, Ariz., suffered minor scratches on his back but wasn't seriously injured during Saturday's attack in a sparsely populated area in the Tonto National Forest, said Randy Babb, a biologist with the Arizona Department of Game and Fish.

I'll admit that I don't go to a lot of National Forests/National Parks so I am not up to speed on laws concerning them.

Is it National Forests that ban all guns or is that just National Parks?

Babb said the attack occurred while the boy and his family were taking a break from riding all-terrain vehicles. He said while the animal tried to bite Paul's head, it didn't actually do it, only slightly clawing the boy's back.

A member of the group shot the lion twice, killing it, Babb said. He didn't know what kind of weapon was used.

Babb said it's not common to find rabies in large animals like mountain lions.

The Arizona Department of Health Services said Monday that it has confirmed rabies in 14 animals this year.

We don't know from this story if the weapon was concealed or not, handgun, rifle or shotgun.

[seamusTX]

You can't carry a loaded weapon in a national park. National forests are governed by state law.

- Jim

[Keith B]

I'll admit that I don't go to a lot of National Forests/National Parks so I am not up to speed on laws concerning them.

Is it National Forests that ban all guns or is that just National Parks?

It is National Parks. You can hunt in a National Forest and carry a long arm openly, or handgun openly if hunting.

[KBCraig]

A full article:

http://www.azcentral.com/community/west ... n0311.html

[WildBill]

A rabid mountain lion - pretty scary. I have never heard of one before this. I guess if my kitty can get rabies, so can a wild cat.

+1 On Keith's comments about National Forests being more "gun friendly." In California they were pretty much the only place you could shoot if you didn't have your own land.

A few years ago the police shot a mountain lion in a residential area in Palo Alto. There was a big public outcry at the police for killing it.

http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show ... php?id=142

[Skiprr]

A member of the group shot the lion twice, killing it, Babb said. He didn't know what kind of weapon was used....

Paul's uncle reportedly took up his pistol and shot the lion...

Well, no doubt here are a 10-year-old boy and his parents who are very happy the boy has an uncle who can SHOOT!

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

A few years ago the police shot a mountain lion in a residential area in Palo Alto. There was a big public outcry at the police for killing it.

What the heck did they want them to do with it? Lure it away from town with a giant can of tuna from Sam's Club?! Maybe they wouldn't have minded if it had eaten a local poodle or something.