MAN'S BEST FRIEND

A DOG PROTECTED ITS OWNERS BY FIGHTING OFF A MOUNTAIN LION:

Now it's time to recognize our JYY Hero Pet of the Day . . . a 5-year-old Labrador mix named Hoagie. On Tuesday, a man named William Morse and his wife were out hiking with Hoagie in the Cleveland National Forest in southern California when a mountain lion suddenly appeared, and charged at Hoagie's owners. But before the mountain lion was able to attack William and his wife, Hoagie jumped in . . . and fought it off.

According to William, , "Out of nowhere, a mountain lion just charged us [and] attacked us. And my dog saved our lives."

Hoagie suffered injuries to his stomach area. He was rushed to the vet where he underwent a four-hour surgery . . . and he's expected to survive. (Los Angeles Times / Yahoo News)

- So we're clear, California Department of Fish and Game officials are now saying Hoagie was the aggressor in the confrontation . . . NOT the mountain lion. According to a spokesman, "The report we got was that the dog went up to a mountain lion and the mountain lion ran away and the dog chased it and was mauled." (Yeah, we're sure that's what happened . . . because everyone knows mountain lions are nature's pushovers. - NOT!!)

(--Check out some pictures of Hoagie post-surgery. . .)