What Happened When A Bear Charged A Dog Walker In Connecticut?

It was barely dawn in North Canaan when one man discovered just how far he’d go for his dog—and just how unimpressed a mother bear can be with human bravery. According to the Hartford Courant, at around 6 a.m. on Tone Drive, the man and his Jack Russell terrier encountered a black bear and her cubs.

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The bear went for the dog, the man jumped in, and the bear quickly made it clear that this was not going to be his superhero origin story. She swatted him across the chest, leaving scratches that were described as “minor.” The dog? Not a single scratch. The man, to his credit, downplayed his injuries and said he’s “lucky to be alive.”

When a Walk Turns Wild: Bear Attacks Dog, Charges at Owner in Connecticut

Wildlife officials have since set traps, but identifying this particular bear may be tough—apparently, bears don’t carry ID. With Connecticut’s black bear population topping 1,000, encounters are only becoming more common, especially in Litchfield County. The state has seen an increase in human-bear encounters in recent years, ranging from backyard sightings to bears entering homes.

And now it's time for 'Fascinating Fun Facts About Black Bears in Connecticut!'

They’re excellent climbers: Bears in CT can scale trees like it’s recess. Cubs climb to escape danger, but adult bears also head up trees to nap or snack.
They love bird feeders more than birds do: The number-one backyard bear attractant isn’t trash—it’s birdseed. To a bear, your feeder is like a 24-hour Golden Corral. DEEP actually recommends removing feeders from spring through fall.
They’re smart—like, really smart: Black bears can remember food sources for years. If you figure out how to open your trash can, congratulations—you've just joined its permanent delivery route.
They break into houses: Black bears hit speeds up to 30 mph. So if you ever think “I’ll just outrun it,” spoiler: you won’t.