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Astonishing video captured the moment a family's courageous dog fought off a bear that charged at a 6-year-old boy outside their Connecticut home.
Footage from Jeffrey Tazzara's home security system showed his son, Colton, playing in the driveway of their home in Torrington on July 4.
Seemingly out of nowhere, a large black bear cub, roughly twice the size of the family's husky mix, Bella, came barreling toward the little boy.
But almost instinctively, Bella immediately rushed at the bear, letting out a vicious bark as she chased it off the property.
The frightened bear could be seen crashing into a boat on the property as it scurried away.
Tazzara told ABC News he was packing the car when he heard his dog let out a fierce bark.
'A vicious bark, not like she barks and yips and howls and stuff ... this was a different kind of bark,' the father said.
'Bella finally caught up to the bear, right in the middle of the driveway, and she bit it in the rear end.
The bear ended up crashing into my boat, and then I think it scurried under the boat and then through the back between the houses and into the woods,' he added.
Tazzara said Bella's bravery earned her a personal steak during the family's next steak night.
The furry hero was also honored by State Rep. Joe Canino and state Sen. Stephen Harding, who presented her with a legislative citation and dog treats on Friday.
'Some heroes wear capes. Others have four paws,' Harding wrote on Facebook.
'Bella's loyalty, courage and instinct to protect are nothing short of extraordinary. Stories like hers remind us of the remarkable bond between families and their pets and the incredible acts of heroism that can happen in our own communities.'
'Congratulations, Bella, on this well-deserved recognition. Connecticut is proud to call you one very good dog!'
Black bears are the only bear species found in Connecticut, and their population is growing, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
The agency said food can attract bears to homes and offered several tips to deter the animals:
- 'Wait until the morning of collection before bringing out trash. Add a few capfuls of ammonia to trash bags and garbage cans to mask food odors. Keep trash bags in a container with a tight lid and store it in a garage or shed.'
- 'Do not leave pet food outside overnight. Store livestock feed in airtight containers.'
- 'Do not put meat or sweet-smelling fruit rinds in compost piles. Lime can be sprinkled on the compost pile to reduce odors and discourage bears.'
- 'Thoroughly clean grills after use or store them in a garage or shed.'
- 'Encourage your neighbors to take similar precautions.'
