Since this was reported in Kalifornia, i believe they were just trying to escape the liberal mobs that were trying to persecute then for wearing natural furs. I'd give them both a pass based on this observation and the fact that i wouldn't have a gun nor would i be found dead in that state.
Had a beagle mix when I was a kid that would chase cats up a huge mesquite tree beside our house. The tree grew at a 45* angle up to roof height, then turned straight up. She would get to the vertical part and I usually had to climb up and get her as she was afraid to turn around to come down.
Several years ago, I was calling a favorite spot for cats one evening and wound up w/this unusual double (for me).
Sitting at cattle guard, yellow x, light breeze NNW, red arrow. Call was on left of the two track, playing nutty nuthatch when the cat burst out of the brush, white line, and stopped between the ruts looking back in the direction of the call. Dropped the cat, red x and was enjoying the moment w/rifle still on the sticks when the coyote burst from the brush along the same path looking back toward the call when he tripped over the cat, rolled and came to his feet looking around as if he was wondering just what the heck he had tripped over. Have often wondered what led up to that encounter.