Bear attack

[suntzu]

Took my pooch for a walk tonight about 9 (Old English Sheepdog). Guess Mommy bear and the kiddo's were out. Well, Mommy proceeds to jump on my dog. I had my Taurus 44 Mag with me just for this occasion. It was dark on a trail so I didn't draw. I remember this clearly. There was no good backstop and there was a house about 75 yards away. I couldn't distinguish my dog from the bear clearly. I did use my light and grabbed my dog with one hand and pushed the bear with my other.

First time in 5 years that has happened. I see bears about 3 or 4 times a week on my land. Had mommy bear get aggressive a few times with babies behind her.

Dog is OK. A few punctures to the neck, nothing bad. And scratches on his back. Not wide but deep. Mommy bear should be a boxer! She almost took my arm off when she swatted it.

Lessons learned:
Should have the flashlight on. I know the area and like to walk by moonlight.

Carry bear spray. We have it but I didn;t take it with me. Normally I just take the pooch down the driveway and back. But he wanted to go further

You can all call me stupid but I was not going to let my dog get killed. I have been through worse and lived. My wife was pissed when she saw my jacket ripped. I am going to give the pooch one of my PH's tomorrow! He did good for an old doggie (12 yrs old)

What I did right:
I am positive that I was correct not firing. Not with a house that close, a moving target at night, no backstop
In 1 second or less I had made a decision and a course of action. Sometimes that is more important than trying to figure something out. Maybe from skydiving or having been in RL situations before I reacted instead of pondering.

bear attack.jpg

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Spirit51]

Wow. Glad you are both ok. Give the pooch a doggie treat from me.

[MisterAvis]

Sound judgement on your part. I hope for a speedy recovery for your friend. Treat for infection regardless of any evidence! Bears are disgusting... as evidenced by their smell.

[Inspector71]

You sir, are a very, very lucky man. I tried to break up a fight between two dogs once and got bit several times requiring a trip to the emergency room and stitches. I hope your dog dosen't have any unseen serious injuries.

[Rock and Glock]

Glad you're OK. You figured out the de-brief deal.

You and dog both need some anti-bodies I'd guess.

[suntzu]

You sir, are a very, very lucky man. I tried to break up a fight between two dogs once and got bit several times requiring a trip to the emergency room and stitches. I hope your dog dosen't have any unseen serious injuries.

Well, sometimes stupid=lucky I hope folks don't think I don't know what I did was stupid. I had two choices. Get away, or help my dog. Shooting was out of the question. Beleive it or not I was thinking a wwhole bunch of things at once. Just like a parachute malfunction. I decided to take the risk becasue it was two against one, mommy bears priority was to keep us away from the babies, and we were NOT in between mommy and kiddos. I felt that from my past experience with bears is that she would retreat if she felt the cubs were out of danger. That can be debated but it ended up being true. If we were in between her and the babies then that would be a whole different story! Thanks for your concerns. Pooch is resting and he is going to vet in the morning.

[jblives2ride]

Glad you're both G2G... I love my pooch too...

[tiwee]

Something like that would just scare the crap out of me. I am not sure I could calm down enough to take a picture a write a post. Glad you came out ok.

[suntzu]

Something like that would just scare the crap out of me. I am not sure I could calm down enough to take a picture a write a post. Glad you came out ok.

It freaks my wife out that I can stay calm. She is a skydiving instructer also and she has had emergencies, her own and students. She is awesome but after she gets the shakes. I cleaned my dog up while watching the rest of the hockey game. Guess who was playing and I was cheering for......The Boston Bruins!!!!!!! Ironic huh!

[Inspector71]

Well, sometimes stupid=lucky I hope folks don't think I don't know what I did was stupid. I had two choices. Get away, or help my dog. Shooting was out of the question. Beleive it or not I was thinking a wwhole bunch of things at once. Just like a parachute malfunction. I decided to take the risk becasue it was two against one, mommy bears priority was to keep us away from the babies, and we were NOT in between mommy and kiddos. I felt that from my past experience with bears is that she would retreat if she felt the cubs were out of danger. That can be debated but it ended up being true. If we were in between her and the babies then that would be a whole different story! Thanks for your concerns. Pooch is resting and he is going to vet in the morning.

I understand what you did because I did the same thing, only it was my precious little mutt against a full grown dalmation and not a bear. I truly hope those punctures don't lead to an infection or something serious. Kudos on the Vet followup.

[ANGLICO]

Wow. Glad this turned out well for you.

[dukalmighty]

Good thing it wasn't an Alaskan Grizzly,you have critiqued yourself, carry on

[Okemo]

Ok...here's what you did wrong....






Kidding. Glad all is OK.

[NH_Esau]

Crazy... Glad you're OK. Mama w/cubs always a dangerous adversary, whether u. americanus or h. sapiens.

[Badey]

Good job! Glad you and yours are OK!