Cuthbert recalls cougar bite

LOS ANGELES, April 15 (UPI) -- Actress Elisha Cuthbert says she was once bitten by a cougar while on the set of her hit U.S. television drama, "24."

The 100-pound cat nipped the 21-year-old "Girl Next Door" actress as she tried to pet it through its cage, World Entertainment News Network said Thursday.

"My stunt double was petting the animal, so I put my hand out to stroke it and it bit me," she recalled. "It almost ripped my thumb off. I was rushed to hospital with two puncture wounds, one of which went right through my hand. I had a brace on my hand for five weeks and now I'm left with a cool scar."