Octogenarian fells lion in yard

FAIRBURN, S.D., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- An 80-year-old Fairburn, S.D., woman shot and killed a mountain lion that was squaring off with her dog in her yard.

Martha Smith said she first fired at the lion when she came outside and saw the cat snarling at her Border collie, Bo, whose barking alerted Smith to the unwelcome guest, The Rapid City (S.D.) Journal reported Wednesday.

Smith missed with her first shot, which failed to scare off the intruder, and went inside to phone the authorities. However, the 911 dispatcher told Smith no one from Game, Fish & Parks was immediately available to take care of the lion.

Smith said she saw no other option than to take a second shot at the big cat.

"I knew I'd have to kill him," she said. "You can't have a mountain lion in your yard."

She said she got within 20 or 25 feet of the lion and felled the beast in a single, second shot.

"I got as close as I could," Smith said. "I figured he'd run. I waited until he lifted his leg to run, and I got him right in the chest where his heart would be."