A woman’s quick actions possibly saved her life and her pets during a terrifying black bear encounter in Alaska. Lori Price was foraging for mushrooms with her two dogs by Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula when the incident occurred on 7 June.
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Price described the moment she heard a bear’s roar, immediately realising the danger she and her dogs were in. “All of a sudden, I hear [a roar], and I was like, ‘Oh my god,’” she recalled to Alaska News Source. The situation escalated rapidly as she witnessed her German short-haired pointer, Chaos, being attacked by the bear.
Instinct kicked in for Price, who stated, “My sudden reaction was, ‘I got to get to my dog now.’” In a panic, she began shouting for Chaos, calling his name at the top of her lungs in an attempt to draw his attention away from the attack.
In a desperate bid to protect her beloved pet, Price drew her Glock 43 9mm pistol and fired at the bear. Her actions were swift and deliberate. “Boom, down like a sack of potatoes goes the bear,” she said, expressing the shock of the moment. However, the initial shot did not completely incapacitate the bear, which then got back up, prompting Price to fire again.
“I shot the bear a second time. Bear goes down … He seems like lights out. We’re good,” Price explained. Just when she thought the threat had passed, the bear rose again. “All of a sudden, the bear gets up again. And I’m like, ‘Oh my God. What?’” Price recalled, as she fired a third shot before fleeing the scene with her dogs.
Once they were safely away, Price flagged down a passing driver to inform them of the incident. Emergency services were subsequently called, including local police and an ambulance, to handle the aftermath of the harrowing experience.
Chaos sustained significant injuries during the attack, suffering extensive blood loss and numerous gashes. “My heart broke,” Price commented, reflecting on her pet’s injuries. “He had so many bite marks on him. It was like the bear thought he was like a little sardine.” Fortunately, Chaos received prompt medical attention at a local veterinary clinic and has been recovering since.
Dr Patrick, a veterinarian who treated Chaos, has been praised by Price for his efforts, as she feels he played a crucial role in saving her dog’s life. “We’re going through a lot of recovery with what’s happening,” she shared. Given the severity of the attack, Price expressed gratitude that Chaos was not left with any broken bones and celebrated that he is still alive.
Her other dog, a chocolate Labrador named Willis, managed to escape the incident without sustaining any injuries. The dramatic encounter serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by wildlife encounters, particularly in remote areas like Alaska.
Information regarding bear attacks and precautions for pet owners in these regions has become increasingly relevant. Both the Homer Police Department and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center were contacted for further insights into the incident, but responses were not immediately forthcoming.
As Price continues to care for Chaos and support his recovery, she remains thankful for the quick decisions that ultimately allowed them to escape the attack relatively unscathed.