Dog recovering from serious injuries after mountain lion attack in Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. -- A dog is safe and recovering after being attacked by a mountain lion in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Bella's owner Richard Baker says she walked outside, and after about 20 minutes, she returned with injuries.

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She had bite marks all across her body, some even puncturing her skull -- and was close to turning septic.

"My first reaction, to be honest, was, I don't know if I can save her," said Nick Macy of Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists.

"She's got that fighter instinct," Baker said. "I think that that love that she has had for life, and you know, the family is what kept her here, you know, fighting."

Bella continues to battle an infection but is so-far making a miraculous recovery.

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Baker says he's facing about $20,000 in vet bills, but his dog will hopefully have a full recovery by mid-November.

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