BANGOR (NEWS CENTER Maine) – A puppy from Orrington is lucky to be alive after her owner said he had to fend off a bear to rescue it.
"It just looked like a ball of black fur right on top of her,” Dustin Gray said.
Gray said it happened on Monday along Rt. 1A in Dedham. He pulled over to let his 11-month-old black lab mix named Clover out. They then went into the woods where he said they stumbled upon the bear.
"It sounded like she was screaming,” he said.
Following his gut, Gray said he immediately fought the bear away.
"This is somewhat atypical. It's not very often that a dog will come along and find a bear in its den,” Maine Game Warden Lt. Dan Scott said.
Scott said Wardens investigated the incident and found traces of a bear den near the location. They do not believe the public is any danger. It is highly unusual for bears to attack, according to Scott, especially this time of year while they are hibernating.
Clover, who was significantly injured, now has a bandage and cast on her entire left front side.
"They can't close up the wound because they're scared of it getting infected,” Gray said.
He fears there may be severe nerve damage, but says so far Clover is staying strong.
"She's with me every step,” he said.
Gray went to Eastern Maine Medical Center following the incident to be treated for minor injuries.
"More than one person would do it for their dog,” Gray said. “So yeah, I’d do it all again.”