Houston man trampled by moose

Last week, a Houston man was reported to have been attacked by a moose at the residence after witnesses say that man had gone out to check on his dogs. Alaska Wildlife Troopers responded to the scene the morning of March 7 to investigate the circumstances around the trampling. According to the Alaska State Troopers (AST investigation, the male heard the family’s dogs barking just prior to midnight and walked outside to check what was going on, and unbeknownst to him, a moose was in the immediate area around the due to the darkness, and the male was subsequently trampled.

There are no details available about what instigated the incident, but according to multiple witnesses, the man had gone outside and was tending to a dog secured on a lead when a cow moose with a calf nearby charged the person. Two children nearby ran to get help immediately and he was able to escape to the safety of his home. He was later transported by ambulance to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center for treatment of significant head and facial trauma. There was no injury to the dog, anybody else, or either moose.

"Always be aware of any dangers around you, especially mother animals who will act to protect their children," says Houston Fire Chief Christian Hartley. "And always have a friend or family member with you when you go outside, especially at night in the winter. This person did, and that buddy system worked. Those kids were brave in their hurry to get help."

Biologists with ADF&G were notified.