A Jack Russell terrier is being hailed as a hero for saving its owner from a bear attack in Vermont, according to state wildlife officials.
Susan Lee, 61, was hiking with her two dogs — the terrier and a labradoodle — on her rural property in Strafford on Saturday when “she heard a loud noise” and saw a bear charging her, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department wrote in a statement.
Lee reported that as she tried to flee, she tripped on a stone wall and fell. A moment later, the woman found the bear on top of her and realized the animal had bitten her on her left leg.
A Jack Russell terrier (not pictured) is being praised for saving its owner’s life from a recent black bear attack in rural Vermont. Getty Images/iStockphoto“Ms. Lee stated that her Jack Russel terrier intervened by barking at the bear, which got off her and appeared to focus on the dog,” wildlife officials recounted.
The momentary distraction provided by the courageous pooch allowed Lee enough time to scramble to her feet and retreat down the trail with her terrier. Lee’s labradoodle was not present during the attack.
Lee managed to reach her home safely and text a neighbor asking to call an ambulance.
The bear attack victim was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for the bite wound on her upper leg and multiple large scratches — some up to 9 inches long — on both her sides. Lee has since been released.
A female black bear walking through the woods with its cubs charged and bit 61-year-old Susan Lee, but her dog’s barking distracted the animal. Getty Images/iStockphotoGame wardens and a state bear biologist were dispatched to Lee’s property and concluded that the bear that was responsible for the attack was a female with cubs, and that the beast charged Lee after the woman and her dogs surprised the animals on the trail.
Wildlife officials attempted to locate the mama bear and her offspring but were unsuccessful and ultimately stopped the search after determining that it was “an isolated incident that shouldn’t pose an additional risk to public safety.”
Game Warden Sergeant Jeffrey Whipple credited Lee’s valiant Jack Russell with saving her, telling USA Today that if it were not for the pup’s “ninja moves,” the incident potentially could have ended badly for the woman.
There are about 6,000 black bears in Vermont, and the animals are known to be wary of humans.
“Bear attacks are extremely rare in Vermont,” said biologist Jaclyn Comeau, adding that the department has records of only three prior 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.
