If it weren’t for a woman’s beloved dog, she would have faced life-threatening injuries, or worse.
Susan Lee, 61, was out hiking a trial Saturday, on her property in Stafford, Vermont. She was walking with her two dogs, a Jack Russell terrier and a labradoodle.
The trio were confronted by a bear, that charged the dog-walker, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
In an effort to get away, she ran, but fell, and the bear managed to get a good bite out of her left leg and inflicted multiple scratches.
Seeing the bear on top of his owner, the terrier made its opinion of the situation known, and started to bark at the bear.
The bear got distracted, and Lee was able to run away and get home. A neighbor called for an ambulance. Lee was treated and released, suffering the leg bite wound and scratches up to nine inches long.
The labradoodle, allegedly had fled the scene, but the hero of the story, the terrier, escaped without injuries.
Lee was visited by game wardens and a bear expert for her story. They determined that the bear was a mother with cubs, and that the mama bear was most likely protecting her cubs when she unexpectedly confronted Lee and her dogs. Officials tried to locate the bear but were unable to find her.
The Game Warden Sergeant, Jeffrey Whipple, praised the Jack Russell terrier. He told USA Today, that the dog most likely saved the woman’s life.
There are said to be about 6,000 bears in Vermont, but usually the animals avoid humans.
According to biologist Jaclyn Comeau, there have only been three recorded bear attacks in the state.
“However, at this time of year black bears are moving in family units and mothers will be protective of their cubs,” she said.