DENVER, Colorado – The Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is investigating a report of a moose attack on a man walking his dogs in Coal Creek Canyon.
The man, in his 50s, told CPW officials who was walking two dogs near Hummingbird Lane when he surprised a female moose and her calf around a sharp bend in the trail. The moose attacked and knocked the man down, trampling him several times.
The man was armed and fired two shots into the ground to scare the moose away from the area. The moose and its calf were not hurt and walked away, according to the victim. The man was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The dogs were not injured and were off leash at the time.
CPW officers searched Coal Creek Canyon for the moose and her calf, but did not find them.
During the late spring and early summer, female elk can be aggressive while their calves are young, as they may view the dogs as predators or threats.
CPW urges dog owners to keep dogs on a leash while hiking and give moose extra space on trails.
