See a Pomeranian chase away a hungry bear
A hungry black bear wandered into the home of a tiny protector.
An intruding black bear was chased out of a house in Canada by an unlikely hero: a tiny Pomeranian.
Security footage captured from the incident shows a black bear casually entering and strolling around the Vancouver home Aug. 4 when the feisty little Pomeranian, Scout, barges in from a side door and fearlessly chases the bear out of the house and into the yard, where he continues to run after it as his owner calls him back.
Watch: Tiny Pomeranian chases black bear out of Vancouver home
Kayla Kleine, Scout’s owner, told Global News that she had the door open to let in some fresh air because of the heat when a bear casually walked inside. She shared with Storyful that the bear, which frequently visits their yard, had earlier taken the breakfast meant for her 3-year-old dog. This may have annoyed her pet, who weighs only five pounds
Kleine told the Canadian media outlet that she was surprised by her pet’s actions, but she also said he can be “scary when he’s mad.”
“He just likes to assert his dominance, or like we’ll call him the alpha dog,” Kleine told the outlet.
Kleine also posted a follow-up video of the pooch feeling proud of himself on TikTok with the caption: “He’s been like this ever since he defeated the bear.” Scout was also treated to his favorite foods as he watched himself appear on television as a hero, according to another video Kleine posted.
How to keep bears from entering your home
British Columbia is home to a sizable population of black bears, and while these animals are typically solitary and shy, they can be a nuisance to humans and can cause human-bear conflicts.
Wildlife agencies, including those in the U.S. such as the National Park Service, advise residents to be more “BearWise” and take “reasonable corrective measures” to avoid encounters, including:
- Never feed bears. In most U.S. states, it is a crime to feed bears directly or indirectly.
- Do not approach bears. If you encounter a bear in your own yard, do not leave the house. Ensure everyone is secure inside before making loud noises, such as banging pots, to scare the bear away.
- Secure food, garbage and recycling.
- Remove bird feeders when bears are active.
- Do not leave pet food outdoors.
- Clean and store grills and smokers.
- Alert neighbors to bear activity.
- Be extra cautious if you see cubs. Mother bears are very protective of their young. Do not approach, touch or interact with cubs.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
