On a typical summer day Ella, a 7-year-old lab, would be taking a swim in the pool with her human siblings.

But on this day Ella found herself protecting her family from a mountain lion.

“She was on point. She’s a hunting dog but she was just on point,” Ella’s mom Crystal Michaelis told KSL TV.

Michaelis’ children were playing in the backyard when a mountain crept up over some nearby rocks.

Ella spotted the mountain lion before anyone else did.

“She kept looking at the kids and then quickly looking back,” said Michaelis. “She was just being very cautious and my daughter thought it was very concerning.”

Thankfully the children were able to safely get inside.

Ella wasn’t so lucky.

“My older son immediately came out well we tried to come out and she wouldn’t even let us come out so she hurry and came in and she kept looking over to the one side of our house, and she came in and she kind of just collapsed,” Michaeli told FOX 13.

Poor Ella has a serious tussle with the mountain lion that left her with severe cuts on her head, nose, tongue, legs, and neck.

“We opened the back door and found Ella just bloodied. There was blood all over the door and all over the patio,” said Michaelis.

Ella, a 7-year-old lab, suffered cuts on her head, neck, legs, her tongue, and has 30+ bites on her body after protecting her family from a mountain lion in Cedar Hills. We’ll have this story tonight on @KSL5TV at 6:30. #ksltv pic.twitter.com/gTaA9I3Djk

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) July 20, 2022

Ella also had a concussion and more than 30 bites.

All of Ella’s injuries were all from the shoulders up which means she stayed in a protective stance to defend her family.

“I believe wholeheartedly that she was protecting them because it was within seconds that they came in and this all happened,” she said.

Officers with @UtahDWR are looking for a mountain lion in Cedar Hills. Last night, that cat attacked a dog. The dog will be okay, but the mountain lion is still out there somewhere. Officers are asking people here to be alert. @KSL5TV tonight at 5 and 6:30. #ksltv pic.twitter.com/kIGPHKRdcf

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) July 20, 2022

Michaelis says she is very grateful that Ella is such a loyal dog.

“Definitely. She can’t be replaced. That’s for sure,” said Michaelis. “She is our hero.”

Police have said that there have seen several mountain lion sightings in the Cedar Hills Utah area.

They may have been attracted to some goats in a nearby yard or local deer.

“They’ve also seen deer wandering through this area and since deer are kind of the main food source for cougars, they will often follow where deer go,” said Faith Jolley, DWR public information officer.

Pleasant Grove Police Department warned locals to be cautious.

“Please be cautious while using the Murdock Canal. If you live in the northern end of Pleasant Grove. Please be aware of your surroundings and know where small children are at all times,” the local police department said.

Ella’s story ended up going viral.

A video about her story ended up being viewed more than 140,500 times on YouTube.

“God bless you Ella! You are a guardian angel! Dogs are God’s greatest creation!” wrote one commenter.

“Ella, you are not only a truly brave dog but you have the biggest heart. Lots of treats and rest for you lionhearted dog. Hope the family spoils you. Heal physically and mentally with lots of love and rest,” said another.

You can learn more about Ella’s story in the video below.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: KSL News, FOX NEWS 12 Salt Lake City