An 11-year-old husky named Bella became an instant hero when she intercepted a charging black bear that was running toward a 6-year-old boy in the driveway of their Connecticut home. The incident, captured on doorbell camera, occurred in front of the boy's father, Jeffrey Tazzara, who was loading the car in the garage.
Dog intervenes as bear charges toward child
Jeffrey Tazzara, the father, told Good Morning America on Wednesday that he heard Bella let out a vicious bark unlike any he had heard before. By the time he turned around, he saw his son Colton standing in front of him and a black bear running directly in Colton's direction. The boy later told the show, 'It didn't get me because I ran fast inside.'
Bella placed herself between the boy and the bear, biting the cub before chasing it off the property and into nearby woods, according to Tazzara. Neither Colton nor Bella sustained any injuries during the encounter.
Bear activity rising in Connecticut
Tazzara said the bear is likely part of a litter that has been hanging around the area for the past year, rummaging through residents' garbage because they know there is a free meal in unlocked bins. Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has reported a rise in bear activity, a growing population of healthy black bears, and a troubling increase in conflicts with humans, according to its State of the Bears report.
With more black bears appearing in neighborhoods, home break-ins, trash raids, and backyard encounters are becoming more common across the state. Over the last six years, there have been 265 reports of bears entering homes, as well as dozens of attempted entries. Many incidents occurred when bears pushed through screen doors and windows, the report stated, noting that home entries average to four break-ins per 100 bears each year.
Dog rewarded for heroism
Tazzara said Bella will be rewarded with a T-bone steak at the family's next steak night. He described Bella as living the life most dogs wish they had, noting she has never been on a leash in her life and gets tons of treats. The family may reconsider Bella's leash-free lifestyle after the close call.
