Dog risks its life to fight off bear charging at boy

A pet dog that threw itself between a charging bear and a young boy at a family home in the United States has drawn widespread attention.

WTNH News 8 reported that a bear appeared in the yard of a home in Torrington, Connecticut, on Monday.

Video released by the boy's father, Jeff Tazara, shows the bear charging directly toward the child as he played in the yard.

The dog immediately rushed at the bear, blocking it from reaching the boy before chasing it down and biting it on the hindquarters — sending the startled bear fleeing at once.

The dog kept up the pursuit until the bear had completely disappeared from sight. Neither the boy nor the dog was injured.

Tazara said the dog had a habit of positioning itself between strangers and the children. "I always wondered how it would act when protection was truly needed — now I have my answer," he said. He added that he planned to reward the dog with a special treat, such as a T-bone steak.

Wild bear sightings in residential areas of Connecticut have been on the rise. The animals are increasingly coming into contact with people as they forage through trash cans and bird feeders for leftover food.

Last April, a bear entered the backyard of a home and stole snacks, prompting authorities to send warning messages to residents. In 2023, a bear raided a bakery, devoured more than 60 cupcakes and fled. Connecticut's black bear population is currently estimated at between 1,000 and 1,200.