Giant moose tramples dog sled team in Alaska for almost an hour
A giant bull moose spent an hour trampling a dog sled team in Alaska even after the owner emptied her gun into the animal.
Bridgett Watkins and her team of dogs were attacked by the moose last week while on a 52-mile run. Three dogs needed surgery.
"This has been the most horrific past 24 hours of my life," Watkins said in a Facebook post.
As the moose charged at her and her team, Watkins shot the animal, but it didn't stop him from stomping on the dogs, according to the post.
"I ran for my life and prayed I was fast enough to not be killed in that moment," she wrote.
After she and a friend trailing her took refuge behind her snowmobile, the moose charged them and stopped 2 feet in front of the machine. She was able to cut six dogs free, but the moose returned to trample the other dogs.
"I have never felt so helpless in my life. He would not leave us alone and he even stood over top of the team refusing to retreat," Watkins wrote.
Some of Watkins' friends arrived and were able to kill the moose, but four dogs were seriously injured.
What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day
'He jumped me': Florida woman attacked and thrown on the ground by bear while walking dogs
One dog named Flash was fighting for his life with a major head injury. Another, named Bronze, had surgery to repair internal organ damage. Bill's rear leg was snapped in half, but surgery stabilized it. Jefe was treated for wounds, the Facebook post said.
The rest of the dogs were resting and recovering. Watkins said they "are mending together and will see where this leads us in the next few days."
"Musher advice; carry a bigger gun."
Related video: Woman spots pair of moose in Idaho
Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Moose tramples Iditarod dog sled team in Alaska for almost an hour
