Girl attacked by cougar is healing
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SPOKANE – A 9-year-old girl attending a camp near Fruitland in Stevens County, Washington was injured when she was attacked by a cougar Saturday morning. Lily A. Kryzhanivskyy was transported to a hospital. On Monday, she was released from the intensive care unit and is now listed in stable condition.
Lily’s mother described her daughter’s recovery so far as “amazing” and asked Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff to share that Lily wants people to know she was “very brave and tough” in the face of the attack.
While playing hide-and-seek in the woods a short distance from the camp buildings, the little girl jumped out to surprise two of her friends when the cougar suddenly attacked. The friends ran to get help.
“We are extremely thankful for this little girl’s resiliency, and we’re impressed with her spunk, in the face of this unfortunate encounter,” WDFW Police Capt. Mike Sprecher said. “It happened fast, and we are thankful that the adults at the camp responded so quickly.”
The young male cougar was killed at the scene. Tests completed over the weekend showed the animal did not have rabies.
WDFW said cougar attacks on humans are rare. Experts advise that those who encounter a cougar should never turn and run. That can trigger a chase response. Instead, make eye contact with the cougar and back away slowly. If the animal approaches, try to look as big as possible. Be assertive and yell, throw rocks or other items at it. If it attacks, fight back, do no play dead with cougars.
Photo from WDFW shows Lily Kryzhanivskyy with WDFW Sgt. Tony Leonetti.
