Moose collides with hiker when it’s spooked by family dogs, Utah officials say

For a Utah hiker, a family walk turned dangerous when a moose ran into her so that hard she fell over, officials said.

Moose are huge animals, and they can quickly become aggressive if they’re approached. A Utah family was walking with their leashed dogs when they came face-to-face with a moose lounging on the ground, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said in a Sunday news release.

The dogs startled the moose, and it started to run away from the family, according to wildlife officials. The moose lowered its head and ran into the woman.

“When the moose attempted to flee the area, it lowered its head and brushed past the woman, causing her to fall and hit her head,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said in the news release. “Medical personnel were dispatched to the scene, and the woman was transported via ambulance to the Heber Valley Hospital for the head injuries sustained during the incident.”

Wildlife officials tried to find the moose, but they couldn’t find it in the “thick brush in the area.”

Female moose with calves can be aggressive in the spring and summer, but male moose could be “especially aggressive during the fall breeding season,” Utah wildlife officials said.

“Moose often feel threatened when people or dogs get too close, which can make them aggressive and lead them to charge, knock someone over and stomp on them,” the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said.

Moose can weigh up to 1,200 pounds and be up to 6 feet tall, according to Wild Aware Utah. They can also run up to 35 mph.

Moose lower their heads and have hair standing up on their necks when they become aggressive. They can also lick their snouts and point their ears back, according to wildlife officials.

If you come close to a moose on a trail, give the animal lots of space and keep track of its behavior. Don’t approach it or feed it. Stay calm and don’t run away, Utah wildlife officials said.

“If a moose charges you or chases you, hide behind something solid (like a tree) or try to get inside a vehicle or building,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said. “If a moose knocks you down, curl into a ball, protect your head and lie still until the moose retreats.”

This story was originally published September 14, 2020 at 10:49 AM with the headline "Moose collides with hiker when it’s spooked by family dogs, Utah officials say."