Chloe

Purina Animal Hall of Fame Award Recipient: Dog Saves Homeowners from Black Bear that Barges into Their Home

On Sept. 16 around 11 p.m., Colette Shwetz opened the door to let her 7-year-old dog, Chloe, out as she routinely did before bedtime in Nipigon, Ontario.

When Chloe went down the deck stairs, she was met by a black bear hiding behind the railing. The dog immediately rushed back upstairs, but the bear followed. As Colette let Chloe inside and tried to shut the door, the bear barged into the home.

"And the next thing I remember, the 300-pound bear is on top of me. I remember screaming, help me, please someone help me," says Colette.

The bear began attacking Colette, biting and scratching her. In that moment, she saw her life flash before her eyes.

Chloe managed to wake Colette's sleeping husband, who wears a loud CPAP machine. When Joe intervened, the bear turned its attention to him. That's when Chloe jumped into action, and together the homeowners and their brave dog were able to push the bear into the basement.

"According to police, every time the bear would try and come up, Chloe would go after him, going partially down the stairs and bark at him. The bear was scared of her," says Colette.

Chloe did everything in her power to protect her owners from the bear.

Joe mustered the strength to call 911 while Chloe kept the bear contained in the basement. When police arrived, they safely ended the incident.

Chloe suffered serious bite and scratch wounds and, like her owners, required multiple stitches.

“She is our hero.”

A heartfelt congratulations to Chloe, a true hero and deserving recipient of the Purina Animal Hall of Fame Award. Learn more about our program here.