Heroes come in all sizes. Yes, that even includes small dogs. Susan Lee, 61, was walking a Jack Russell Terrier and Labradoodle in Strafford Township, Vermont, when a black bear lunged and attacked her. Lee thought those would be her last moments alive.
But it was her little Jack Russell Terrier that saved the day. If that dog hadn’t stood up to the ferocious predator, Lee wouldn’t have escaped for a moment. In moments of life or death, our dogs can surprise us in ways we never expected.
Bear’s surprise attack
While Lee was walking, she heard a loud sound and called her dogs to come back. Before she could investigate, a bear appeared and chased after her. As Lee ran away, she tripped over a stone wall and fell to the ground.
Officials said: ‘She then felt pain in her left upper leg and realized the bear was on top of her and had bitten her.
When she was bitten, the Jack Russell Terrier appeared beside her and barked at the bear. The bear was so distracted by the dog’s barking that Lee was able to get up and escape without him noticing. Then her brave Terrier ran behind her. She did not see the bear again after that.
Her Labradoodle returned home on her own, and a neighbor rushed Lee to the hospital. Lee called 911 on the street to explain the traumatic situation. She was trembling but grateful to have her dog there to protect her.
Saved by Tiny Terrier
Lee has a bite mark on his upper left leg and several scratches that are 2 to 9 inches long. Her injuries were not life-threatening, so she was discharged from the hospital soon after. Jack Russell Terrier did not experience any injuries so Game Warden Sgt. Jeffrey Whipple joked that the puppy must have used a “ninja move” to escape the bear’s claws.
Officials from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Service learned that the bear was a mother with cubs nearby. She could feel threatened when she saw the dogs, so she gave Lee a “warning bite”. Officials warned Lee about the risk of rabies, and they used her clothes as evidence to test for rabies. They have yet to find the bear, but they do not believe an isolated incident is a concern for public safety.
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Bear biologist Jaclyn Comeau of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Service said: “Bear attacks are extremely rare in Vermont. “However, at this time of year, black bears are moving in family units and mothers will protect their cubs. If confronted with a bear, it is essential to stay calm and back away slowly, and fight back immediately if attacked. “
There are about 6,000 black bears in Vermont. They are usually shy creatures and avoid people, so this is only the state’s fourth recorded attack. It’s not something Lee can expect to face, but she’s lucky to have a loyal companion by her side.
