A family dog in Torrington, Connecticut, is being hailed as a hero after protecting a young child from a black bear on Saturday.
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In dramatic home security footage captured by Jeffrey Tazzara, the child was seen standing in the driveway when a black bear suddenly appeared and charged toward the child.
The family dog, a husky, then raced across the yard and jumped between the bear and the child before chasing the animal away from the home.
The dog continued by barking and pursuing the bear until it left the property.
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In the footage, the startled bear is seen retreating and slides underneath a boat parked near the edge of the driveway before eventually running off.
The child was unharmed, and the heroic husky was rewarded with a T-bone steak.
According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, annual black bear sighting reports have increased dramatically over the years, indicating the state's growing bear population.
Bears are most commonly seen during the spring and summer during their breeding season.
Officials say that as black bears become more common in Connecticut communities, residents should learn how to safely coexist with them by removing food attractants, such as bird feeders, that can draw bears near homes.
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Authorities emphasize that taking these precautions can help reduce conflicts between people and bears, making it less likely that bears will need to be removed or euthanized.
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