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 west 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 USA TODAY Aug. 8 she had the door open to let in some fresh air because of the heat while getting ready when the bear came in.
“I had music playing (and) didn’t hear the bear come in,” Kleine told USA TODAY over email. “It wandered around (and) then ate Scout’s food in the kitchen.”
“Scout heard and chased the bear out of the house and off the property,” Kleine continued, adding she grabbed a pepper spray and followed.
Despite Scout’s fearlessness, Kleine said she was scared for her two-and-a-half-year-old pup, who she’s had for two years.
“I was worried the bear would turn around and realize how tiny he is,” Kleine said. Scout weighs only five pounds.
Kleine, meanwhile, told Global News Scout 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 Canadian media 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.
The bear did not return after the incident, Kleine said.
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.
This story has been updated to include additional information.
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.